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HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



OF THE 



TOWN OF MILFORD 



[Limited Edition] 



"A MORE substantial COMPANY OF EMIGRANTS NEVER FOLLOWED 
A CLERGYMAN INTO THE WILD WOODS OF AMERICA THAN THE 

FATHERS OF MILFORD." — ( HolHster' s History of Conn. ) 



Press of The Tuttle, Morehouse and Taylor Co. 

New Haven, Conn. 

1914. 



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Copyright, 1914 

BY 

George Hare Ford 



'CI,A3S0J36 



AUG 22 1914 



PREFACE 

Partially inspired by the recent tracing of the road over 
which Washington passed through this town on June 28th, 
1775, journeying from Philadelphia to Cambridge to take 
"command of the Army of the United Colonies" ; and in 
anticipation of the proposed celebration of the 

275TH Anniversary of the Settlement of 
Ye Old Towne of Milford, 

I have compiled and edited this book out of loyalty to and 
interest in my native town. 

It contains facts, incidents and data gleaned from original 
manuscripts (not heretofore published or assembled), pam- 
phlets, records and fragments of authority now rare and 
difficult of access, which, if not preserved, will fade away and 
be lost to future generations. 

Trusting that it may prove as interesting to others as the 
collecting and compiling has been to the author. 

George Hare Ford 

New Haven, Connecticut. 

Dedicated to the memory of my twenty-five ancestors* 
whose names appear upon the Memorial Bridge among the 
founders of the town. 



* Thomas Ford, Serg't. Thomas Tibbals, Rev. Peter Prudden, Gov. 
Robert Treat, William Fowler, Rev. Sam'l. Andrew, Deacon George Clarke, 
Yoeman George Clarke, Jasper Gunn, Edmund Tapp, Benjamin Fenn, 
Thomas Buckingham, Richard Baldwin, Timothy Baldwin, Joseph Bald- 
win, Nathaniel Baldwin, John Rogers, Nicholas Camp, Joseph Northrup, 
Henry Bochford, John Lane, John Smith, Thomas Sanford, Roger Terrill, 
Martha Beard "Widow" three sons. 



The writer acknowledges with appreciation and thanks courtesies and 
assistance rendered in the preparation of this work by the following: 
Harvey Beach, David L. Clark, David Lewis Nettleton, Nathan Stowe, 
George F. Piatt, Roger S. Baldwin, Treat Clark, Joseph R. Clark, Frank 
T. Munson, Rev. P. H. McClean, Rev. A. J. Martin, Fannie Fowler 
Peck, Josephine G. Beach, Sarah T. Ford, Sadie Ford Nettleton. 
E. B. Hyatt, Photographer. 



CONTENTS 

Fragments of the Early History of the Town, 
with illustrations and interesting data, by 
George Hare Ford 9-46 

Names of Residents in the town 1835 Frontispiece 

Names of the original settlers of the town in 1639 

and after planters about 1660 12-13 

Names of 235 freeholders included in the Patent 

granted 1712 13-14 

Names of 60 Revolutionary patriots buried in the 

Milford Cemetery 23-4 

Names of the Town Clerks of Milford 1640 to 1914 42 

Names of owners of slaves residing in Milford 1790 43 

Names of the heads of families residing in the town 

1790 44 

Names of Milford Men who served in the Civil War 

1861-65 45 

And many other names and dates of value to His- 
torians and Genealogists. 

A Leaf of Milford History 

A Thanksgiving Sermon, 1858, preached by Jona- 
than Brace, D.D 47 

The Town of Milford During the American 
Revolution 
Prize Essay, by Mabel Whitman IMahoney 63 

Historical Address 

Delivered at the unveiling of the Milford Memorial 

Fountain, by George Hare Ford 70 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Plan of the original layout of the town in 1646. 

First meeting house with ground plan. 

Governor Treat's house, signature and seal, about 1650-1700. 

The Regicide House, 1661 and 1662. 

Governor Law's house, signature and seal, about 1700- 1750. 

Mil ford or Peconick Point about 1800. 

Patent granted by the General Court 17 12 and 1713 (repro- 
duction from original). 

Congregational Churches, Academy and Mill Pond about 1835. 

Map of the town of Milford including streets and location of 
residences in 1835. 

Tablet to Robert Treat (Newark). 

Typical Old New England House (The Higby House). 

Continental Currency (Revolutionary Period). 

Milford Memorials. 

Memorial Bridge and Tower. 

Revolutionary Soldiers' Monument. 

Soldiers' Monument, Civil War, 1861-64. 

Taylor Memorial Library. 

Mary Taylor Memorial M. E. Church. 

Chapter House, Daughters of the American Revolution. 

Entrance to Wilcox Park. 

Ford Memorial Fountain. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



NEW HAVEN COLONY 

1637 In June, 1637, there arrived at Boston, the Davenport 
and Eaton Company, composed of men of "wealth and high- 
est respectabihty." Among them were two Puritan ministers, 
John Davenport and Peter Prudden. Efforts were made by 
Governor Winthrop to induce these new comers to locate 
within the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ; but 
they desired to form a separate commonwealth. 

When Captain Underbill of the Winthrop Colony returned 
from the Pequot War, he told of a place called "Quinnipiack," 
discovered in chasing the Pequot Indians to the westward 
along the coast from Mystic to the Fairfield Swamp. He 
described the place as follows: "It hath a fair harbor and 
abounds in rich and goodly meadows." 

1638 Captain Stoughton, another soldier of the Pequot 
War, speaks of the place as "surpassing all the New England 
region," and says "probable it is that the Dutch will seize it 
if the English do not ; it is too good for any but friends." A 
committee were sent to explore the country and the harbor 
and returned so well pleased that the Davenport and Eaton 
Company decided to settle on this spot and in the spring of 
1638 arrived at Red Mount (Quinnipiack), now New Haven. 

Dwight says about this company, "They were distinguished 
for their excellent characters" ; and Trumbull says, "the 
principal men deserved to be at the head of a colony." 

Peters, a sarcastic writer, in his "History of Connecticut, 
London 1 781," says "The New Haven Colony flattered them- 
selves they were founding Christ's Millenium Kingdom, which 
was to extend from sea to sea, and that their city would be 
the seat of the empire and that Christ would eventually come 
to live with them for a thousand years ; but it does not appear 



O HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

from the early records that they ever reserved a building lot 
for his palace." 

PLANTATION COVENANT 

1639 June, 1639, finds these planters gathered for con- 
ference in the Robert Newman barn* for the purpose of an 
agreement on the government of the colony. The meeting 
was not altogether harmonious : differences existed. The 
majority favored recognizing only church members as eligible 
to vote on the affairs of the colony. As a result those who 
declined to subscribe to the original articles of agreement 
gathered on the following day and organized under Rev. Peter 
Prudden, a separate colony. 

Prudden, formerly from Edgerton, Yorkshire, England, had 
preached at Wethersfield during the year ; and a number from 
that town followed him to Quinnipiack. 

Among them was Sergt. Thomas Tibbalsf who had also 
served with Capt. Mason, Stoughton and Underhill in the 
Pequot War. 

He had been impressed not only with the Quinnipiack but 
the Wepawaugl River, about ten miles south and recommended 
this location to the Company of dissenters as a desirable spot 
for a settlement; and the following August, Thomas Tibbals 
led the company along the shore by the Indian trail through 
the wilderness to the banks of the Wepawaug, with the Rev. 
Peter Prudden as the acknowledged head of the Company. 

* The Newman lot was at the foot of the present Hillhouse Ave., New 
Haven, on which site now stands the New Haven Colony Historical 
Society Building presented by Henry Fowler English as a memorial to 
his father and mother : the late James Edward English, Governor and 
U. S. Senator, and Caroline Fowler English, a direct descendant of 
William Fowler of Milford, the founder and builder of the first mill. 

t Among the passengers on the "Truelove," leaving the shores of Eng- 
land in 163s, appear the names of Thomas Tibbalds, aged 20; Zacharia 
Whitman, aged 60; Sarah Whitman, aged 25; Zacha Whitman, aged 
2^ years. "Original lists of Persons of Quality who went from Great 
Britain to the American Plantations 1600-1700," Edited by John Camden 
Hotten, London. 

$ Indian translation (the crossing place). 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 9 

See boulder Memorial Bridge, southeast end, following 
inscription: 

IN MEMORIAM 

CAPT. THOMAS TIBBALS. 

OBIT 1703 

IN CONSIDERATION OF HIS 

HELPFULNESS ATT THE FIRST COM- 

MING TO MILFORD TO SHOW THE 

FIRST COMMERS THE PLACE. 

(Land Records.) 

See boulder Memorial Bridge, southwest end, following 
inscription : 

IN MEMORIAM 

PETER PRUDDEN 

FIRST PASTOR IN MILFORD 

OBIT 1656 

THE VOICE OF ONE CRYING IN THE 

WILDERNESS, PREPARE YE 

THE WAY OF THE LORD, MAKE HIS PATHS STRAIGHT. 

THE NEW HAVEN COLONISTS ACQUIRED ALL 

THEIR LAND BY PURCHASE FROM THE 

INDIANS, 

and the business was transacted with much formality and 
possession was given with ceremony. Not only the Indian 
Chief, but all the other leaders in the tribe signed the deeds 
by making their mark. 

The payments were made in clothing, blankets, utensils, 
trinkets and other things useful to the Indians. 

By articles of agreement the Indians, for themselves and 
their successors, surrendered all lands and privileges, reserving 
the right of fishing and hunting, and in the case of the Mil- 
ford purchase, Ansantawae and his family were to have the 
liberty to seek shelter in the event of danger in some place 
near the town where the residents should "think most fit." 



lO HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

LAND PURCHASED FOR THE TOWN OF MILFORD 

FROM THE INDIANS INCLUDING DATE OF 

PURCHASE AND BOUNDARY LINE* 

The individuals who negotiated with the Indians acted in 
behalf of all the planters, and it is expressed in all of the vari- 
ous deeds or agreements, from 1639 to 1722, after the names 
of the committee, as follows : "For the benefit of the 
planters," or "In trust for the planters." 

1639 The original or first purchase was made Feb. 12, 
1639,1 ^i^d consisted of the land lying between the East River 
and the "Oustonik" with Long Island Sound on the south, 
two miles towards Derby on the north. This deed was taken 
by William Fowler, Edwin Tapp, Zachariah Whitman, Ben- 
jamin Fenn and Alexander Bryan. 

1655 Purchases were made between Paugussett and the 
two-mile Indian path by Ensign Bryan, Sergt. Baldwin and 
William East. 

1659 Land from the Indian Path to Oyster River South 
to the Foot Path from Paugussett to New Haven, by Robert 
Treat and Ensign Bryan. 

1659-60 Indian Neck between East River and the Sound 
by Ensign Bryan. 

1685 "The tract lying by the path which goeth from New 
Haven to Derby and bounded with said path south, and the 
brook called Bladden's Brook, north; with the line that is 
in the point between New Haven and Mil ford east, and the 
line that is the point between Derby and Milford West." This 
purchase was made by Robert Treat, Samuel Eells, Benj. 
Fenn, Thomas Clark and Survanius Baldwin. 

* The conditions of purchase, the price, the names and marks of the 
Indians conveying all the land comprising the town of Milford at the 
different purchases will be found in Lambert's History of New Haven 
Colony, 1838. 

t The early settlers began their year March 25, therefore a confusion 
and inconsistency of dates frequently occurs and is due to the fact that 
the original records made previous to March may bear date of previous 
year. 1640 voted the place be called Milford. 




PLAN OF THE ORIGINAL TOWN PLOT OF MLFORD. 

1646 

Four and one-half inches to the mile 



NUMBER OF HOUSE LOT, NAME AND AMOUNT OF LAND 
OWNED BY EACH PLANTER IN 1646 



1 John Astwopd, 

2 Richard Baldwin, 

3 Benjamiii Fenn, 

4 Samuel Cooley, 

5 John Peacocke, 

6 Henry Stonhill, 

7 Nathaniel Baldv/in, 

8 James Pmdden, 

9 John Sherman, 

10 Thomas Baker, 

11 Stephen Freeman, 

12 John -Fletcher, 

13 John Baldwin, 

14 Frances Bolt, 

15 Micah Tompkins, 

16 John Birdseye, 

17 Edward Har^'ey, 

18 jbhn Lane, 

19 Wilham East, 

20 Thomas Lawrence, 

(sold to Wm. East.) 

21 Th9mas Sandford, 
2-> Tiltiothy Baid^vin, 

23 Alexander Bryan, 

24 Jasper Gimn, 

25 Tomas Hine, 

26 Henry Lyon, 

27 John "Stream, 

28 William Slough, 

29 James Prime, 

30 Thomas_Reed, 

31 Robert Denison, 

32 Zachariah Whitman, 7 

33 Thomas Welch, 4 



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34 Thomas Wheeler, 

35 Mr. Edmond Tapp, 

36 The. Buckingham, 
§7 Robert Plum- 

38 Richard Piatt, 

39 Thomas Tapping, 

40 Mr. Peter Prudden, 

41 Mr. Wm. Fowler, 

42 Thomas Lawrence, 

43 Geor^ Clark, Junr., 4 

44 John Bur well, 

45 Henry Botsford, 

46 John Smith, 

47 John Rogers, 

48 Philip Hatley, 

49 Roger Tyrrell, 

50 Nicholas Camp, 

51 John Fowler, 

52 Joseph Baldwin, 

53 Thomas Tibbals, 

54 Wid. Martha Beard, 

55 Thomas Campfield, 

56 Thomas Ford, 

57 WilUam Roberts, 

58 John Smith, 

59 Thomas Bailey, 

60 William Brookes, 

61 John Brown J 

62 Nathanier Briscoe, 

63 Edward Riggs, 

64 Andrew Benton^ 

65 George Clark, Senr., 

66 George Hubbard, 

(sold to John Stream.) 



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The following list included those who were known to have come from 
Wethersfield : — Zackariah Whitman, Thomas Welch, Edmund Tapp, 
Thomas Buckingham, Richard Miles, Richard Piatt, Mr. Peter Prudden, 
William Fowler, Richard Baldwin, Benjamin Fenn, John Peacocke, Henry 
Stonhill, Nathaniel Baldwin, James Prudden, Timothy Baldwin, Joseph 
Baldwin, Thomas Tibbals. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



13 



1700 Land lying north of Bladden's Brook to the brook 
called Lebanon Brook, east by New Haven land ; west by the 
land between Derby and Milford; by Robert Treat, Thomas 
Clark, Sr., Samuel Buckingham, Lieut. S. Baldwin and Ensign 
George Clark. 

1702 Land bounded south by Lebanon Brook; east by 

Milford and New Haven line ; north by Beacon Hill or 

Waterbury line ; west by the line between Derby and Milford. 

The following is a list of the principal after planters, 1646 to about 1660: 



Henry Allen 
Edward Adams 
Jashua Alwater 
Joseph Ashburn 
Hants Albers 
Thomas Andrew 
Thomas Bayley 
Thomas Beardsley 
John Brown 
Roger Belts 
Thomas Belts 
Thomas Beach 
Thomas Campfieli 
Robert Denison 
Gilbert Dalisoa 
Charles Deal 
Robert Downs 
Samnel EellS 
Thomas Farman 
Nathaniel Farrand 
John Ford 
Joseph Northrup 



Stephea Freeman 
John Fisk 
Nathaniel Gould 
Joseph Guernsey 
Thomas Hine 
Richard Haughton 
Thomas Hayes 
Richard Holbrook 
Richard HoHingworth 
Waller Joye- 
Simon Lobdell 
Jonathan Law 
Jesse Lambert 
Miles Merwin 
Miles Moore 
Jonathan Marsh 
Thomas Mecock 
Samuel Neltletpn 
Roger Newton 
Francis Norton 
Abraham Pierson 
James Prime 



John Prindle 
Joseph Peck 
Roger Prilchard 
David Phillips 
Edward Riggs 
William Roberts 
Thomas Read 
Joseph Sill 
Richard Shule 
John Smith 
John Stream 
John Stone 
Vincent Stilson 
Peter Simpson 
Edward Turner 
Henry Tomlinson 
William Tyler 
Edward Wooster 
Edward Wilkinson 
Thomas Ward 
Joseph Waters 



Purchases haying been made at various times and bound- 
aries being subject to controversy, the planters decided in 
1712-or 13 to petition the General Court for a Patent that 
would define their boundaries and protect their title and the 
following were chosen a committee to assume the drawing up 
of the document: — Jonathan Law, Esq.,* Maj. Samuel Eells, 
Sergt. Zachariah Baldwin, Ensign Samuel Gunn, Capt. Joseph 
Treat, Ensign George Clark and Mr. Samuel Clark, Jr. 

Every planter was compelled to bear his proportion of the 
expense arising from settling the plantation and laying it out 
in lots and received land in proportion to the amount he had 
contributed based upon his estate, the number of members of 
his family and agreed to build a suitable house upon the lot 
within three years from the date of allotment. 
* The instrument was drawn for the committee by Jonathan Law. 



14 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

These early houses were mostly covered with oak shingles 
and the windows were diamond glass. 

The outside lands were allotted in the same manner as the 
home lots.* 

Burwell's Farm received its name from Samuel and Nathan, 
sons of Samuel Burwell. 

Wheeler's Farm received its name from Joseph Wheeler 
who settled in 1 705 ; previous to this it was called the Upper 
Meadow or Sergeant Camp's Hop Garden. 

Bryan's Farm received its name from Alexander Bryan. 
The section is now known as Woodmont. 

George Clarkf was the first settler to build outside the 
Palisades and received forty acres as a reward for his courage. 

Inscription on Stone erected on Clark Farm 
October 1895 

This stone was 
removed from the south 

end of this field by 

David N. Clarke & Sons 

and set up in memory of 

Deacon George Clarke, Sr. 

their ancestor who was 

one of the first English 

settlers of Milford in 1639, 

and was the owner of this lot 

with George Clarke, Jr. 

* Westfield, south of the town, between the turnpike and the great 
meadow extending to Poconoc Point, was laid out to those who settled 
at the west end. The Upland at the point was laid out to widow 
Martha Beard. In 1647, Thomas Tibbals had a grant of meadow at said 
point. 

t As there were two men by the name of George Clarke among the 
early settlers, many errors occur in the records of their descendants. 
Pond, in his "Story of the Memorial Bridge," considers the present 
family descend from Deacon, who married Mary, the daughter of George 
the farmer. The name of Clarke from the settlement of the town has 
been most prominent. The descendants have been thrifty and have been 
most loyal to the interests of the town of Milford, having remained in 
the town generation after generation and and added much to its prosperity. 
Clark and Clarke are the most prominent names in the Milford telephone 
directory of the present day. 



PATENT GRANTED 1712-13 
(from original) 




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This patent was considered of nuicli im])()rtance to the 
freeholders as security ag-ainst any crown agent or Governor 
General who might challenoe their title. 



NAMES OF PATENTEES 












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Trumbull saj-s, "The wisdom of our venerable ancestors provided for 
the freedom and liberty of themselves and their posterity. Thus did they 
guard against every encroachment on the rights of the sul)jects." 



The following is an accurate synopsis of the instrument : 

L. S. To ALL People to whom these presents shall come: The 
Governour and Company of ye English Colony of Connecticut, in 
New England, in America, send Greeting. Know Ye that whereas 
all the' lands contained within these abutmerns; viz., the Sea South, 
with the dividing lines between the towns of New Haven and Mil- 
ford, from the middle of the moulh of Oysier river to Beacon Hill 
river. Easterly; with Beacon Hill river, Northerly; and on the 
Westward side thereof with the lines which divide between the 
Towns of Milford and Derby, and with the middle of the Housa- 
tonnuc river, were the greater part purchased of the Indian, native 
proprietors, before the Letters Patent of Connecticut was obtained 
from King Charles the '2d, of blessed memory, and pt)Bsessed without 
interruption for seventy-six years and upwards ; and that other parts 
since lawfully purchased of the Indian proprietors, by the inhabit- 
ants of Milford, viz. : the lands north of Bladen's brook were added 
to the township, in 1693, by the Governour and Company since the 
grant of the Charter of Connecticut — and the proprietors of said 
Milford now mpving to us the Governour and Company, for the 
more .'5ure making and firm establishment of their rights to said 
lands, whether holden by them in Fee simple or Fee tail, or as 
Tenants in common, joint Tenants or Parceners ; 

Now Know Ye : That we the said Governour and Company in 
General Court as.sembled, by virtue of the Letters Pattent to us 
given, under the great seal of England, by our Sovereign Lord, 
King Charles the second, of blessed memor}', do by these presents 
fully and absolutely, for us and our successors, give, grant, reraise, 
and release, and altogether for us and our successors do quitclaim, 
ratify, approve, and confirm in the quiet, peaceable, and firm seizen 
and possession of Major Samuel Eells, Mr. Samuel Andrew, Mr. 
Robert Treat, Mr. Jonathan Law, Mr. Thomas Clark, Ensigu 
George Clark, Ensign Jobamah Gunn, Capt. Joseph Treat, Lieut. 
Joseph Peck, Lieut. Benjamin Fenn, Serg. Zachariah Baldwin, 
Mr. Samuel Clark, Jun., Ensign Samuel Gunn, and all and every 
person whose names are foimd in a schedule hereunto affixed, the 
whole right, title, and claim, which we have had or have in and to 
all the aforesaid tract of land bounded as aforesaid, with all the 
Islands within the said tract of land, viz. : Milford Island, Edward 
Wooster's Island, Whitman's Island, and Duck Island, with the 
woods, minerals, buildings, and all other appurtenances, and hered- 
itament; to them aod every of them, their heirs and assigns forever, 
according to their several rights and shares, as may be seen by the 
records of the town of Milford, reference thereunto being had, 
To Have and to Hold to their own proper use and behoof forever ; 
To Hold— of her Majesty, her heirs and successors, according to 
the tenure of East Greenwich, in the County of Kent, in England, 
in free and common socage, yielding and paying therefor to her 
Majesty and successors forever, the fifth part of all the ore of Gold 
and Silver, which shall there, hereafter be gotten, in lieu of all ser- 
vices, duties, and demands whatsoever, according to the Charter 
granted to us, the Governour and Company. 

In witness whereof we have caused the Seal of the Colony to be 
hereunto affixed,' and the Governor and Secretary of the said Colony 
have hereunto subscribed their names, this twenty-second day of 
May, Anno Domini One Thousand seven hundred and thirteen^^^ 
Anno-qr Regui Regina Magna Britannia Anna Duo decimo. 






l6 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



MILFORD INDIANS* 



As late as the spring of 183 1 it is said that a company of 
Indians journeyed from the shores of Lake Champlain and 
camped for two or three weeks at Mil ford Point. An old 
man of eighty was recognized by them as their chieftain. 

Conversation among themselves was carried on in the Indian 
tongue. Some had acquired a little English and as they 
expressed it, "they made this pilgrimage for the last time to 
the home of their ancestors and the sacred ground of their 
fathers." 

If this barbaric, savage race had that reverence for their 
ancestors and the homes of their fathers, should not we of a 
civilized race, at the present day, show reverence for and pay 
homage to the homes of our ancestors by gathering at intervals 
and studying their characters and rehearsing the experiences 
of these founders of a great nation. 

The Quinnipiack tribe claimed the territory from New 
Haven to Madison. The Wepawaugs and Paugussetts from 
New Haven to Fairfield, extending back to Beacon Hill 
(Beacon Falls, Waterbury Line). The Wepawaugsf occu- 
pied the east bank of the Ousatonick River and the Paugus- 
setts, the west bank. They numbered several hundred warriors 
and braves and historians all assume that they were all one 
people. AnsantawaeJ was the sachem of both tribes and all 
the deeds in their territory conveyed to the English included 
the names or marks of the heads of both families. 

DeForest says, "The Quinnipiacks numbered only forty- 
seven braves and warriors." 

* About 1648 the Mohawks, as was frequently their custom, swept down 
along the coast and attacked the Milford Indians, near a swamp about 
a mile east of the Ferry. The Mohawks were defeated. 

t Wopowage Housatonick — Trumbull's Conn., 1797. 

Wapawaug Ousatonick — Gazateer of Conn. & R. I., 1818. 

Wepowage Housatonnuc — Lambert's, 1838. 

Wepawaug Paugussetts — DeForest's History of Conn. Indians, 1852. 

t Ansantawae had a wigwam on the banks of the Wepawaug about 
opposite Plot 19 on the map. 




■««BNiiP 



I 8 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

1777 At the time of the settlement of the town of Mil- 
ford the Indians had four so-called villages within the limits 
of the town; one on the banks of the Wepawaug near the 
First Church, one on the banks of the Ousatonick; one at 
Washington's bridge; one at Peconic or Milford Point and 
one at Turkey Hill. After a time they complained that hav- 
ing sold their land, they had no place to live and asked the 
town to assign them some portion where they might live and 
fish and hunt. Accordingly in 1777 one hundred acres at 
Turkey Hill were reserved and Capt. Benjamin Fenn, Steven 
Gunn, Esq., and Lieut. Benjamin Fenn were appointed to take 
care of this land. 

Mollie Hackett, the last of the Wepawaug tribe, died here 
between 1780 and 1800. 

MILFORD ISLANDS 

1712-13 Milford Islands were evidently considered of 
importance as they are distinctly mentioned in the 1 712-13 
patent. 

1657 Milford, or Charles Island,* the most important, 
contains twelve acres and is beautifully located. The Indian 
name was "Eaquahaug" ; it was a favorite summer resort of 
the Indians. Ansantawae the sachem had a royal wigwam 
or summer home, on this Island. In the settlement of the 
town it was laid out to George Hubbard who sold it to Richar4 
Bryan. In 1657 grant was given to Charles Deal (from whom 
it evidently acquired its present name) to use the island for 
a tobacco plantation on condition that buildings should not be 
used for any other purpose and he was not to trade with the 
Dutch or Indians. 

* Connected with the island is a legend that the notorious Kidd buried 
money on the south side beside a huge rock and that some persons dig- 
ging for this treasure succeeded in getting as far as the iron box and 
looking in the air saw a man descending without a head. They became 
frightened and ran away and as they left they saw the space enveloped 
in smoke. Returning for their spades the next day they found they were 
mistaken and the ground was smooth as though it never had been dug. 
This and the Hog rock legend probably deserve the same credit as that 
concerning the New Haven phantom ship. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 19 

1825 In 1825 the island was sold to John Harris of New 
York, who erected upon it an imposing residence. That was 
afterwards utilized as a summer hotel and in the early days of 
the writer, excursion steamers ran from New Haven and 
Bridgeport to this island during the summer season. The spot 
is highly attractive at the present day and will undoubtedly, in 
the future, be acquired by some one impressed with the advan- 
tage of its situation and possibly be developed as a yachting 
rendezvous. 

Duck Island near the mouth of the Housatonic River. 

Nell's Island between that and Washington Bridge. 

WoosTER Island opposite Wheeler's Farm. 



FORT TRUMBULL 

1776 In 1776 Fort Trumbull was built for the defense 
of the town. Earth works were built on the West side on 
the entrance of the Harbor and a military post was established. 
Great guns were mounted, ready for use if necessary in defense 
and Captain Isaac Miles was placed in command. The fort 
was named "Fort Trumbull," undoubtedly in honor of Jona- 
than Trumbull (Brother Jonathan) the war governor of the 
State of Connecticut during the Revolutionary period. 



ROADS 

1846 By reference to the original map, 1846, it will be 
observed that no effort was made to lay out the town regularly 
as was done by the planters in New Haven. 

It is said that a cart driven over the ground making a track 
where the trees did not interfere, made the basis for the estab- 
lishment of the road. Some roads were laid out on the Indian 
trails, such as the old road to New Haven by Burwell's Farm 
and Oyster River ; also' the road to Turkey Hill. 

The old country road to the ferry was called the Witch 
Road. A ferry was established in 1675. 



20 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Hog Rock, a boulder about ten feet in diameter, is located 
about a mile east of Washington Bridge. The following 
stanza explains the origin of its name : 

"Once four young men upon ye rock 
Sate down at chuffle board one daye; 
When ye Deuill appeared in shape of a hogg; 
Ande frighten'd you so they scampered awaye; 
Ande left Olde Nick to finish ye play." 

On the north side of the rock is cut in capitals, "LIBERTY, 
1776," done by Peter Pierett, Jr., at the time of the Revolu- 
tionary War. Thus old Cloven Foot's gaming table is made 
a monument of American Liberty. 

1712 Ini7i2a committee was appointed by the town to 
agree with the Stratford authorities to carry the inhabitants 
to Milford over the river for half price on condition that the 
town furnished a ferry boat on this side. 

1802 "In 1802 the New Haven and Milford Turnpike 
Company was opposed by the people of the town who objected 
to the turnpike road running through people's land, necessitat- 
ing that they should keep the old road except cutting off sharp 
corners." 

ORIGINAL BRIDGES 
Location and Dates of Building 
1640 The Meeting House Bridge. 
1645 Fowler's Bridge. 
1662 Indian or Great Bridge. 
1706 Plum's Bridge crossing Indian River on the old 

Country Road. 
1 711 King's Bridge. 
1723 Bridge from a point below the present Episcopal 

Church near the present Railroad Bridge, now 

discontinued. 
1753 Oyster River Bridge. 
1768 North Street Foot Bridge by Jehiel Bristol. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 2 1 

1798 Washington Bridge* over the Housatonic supported 
by the Turnpike Company; about the same date 
Jefferson Bridge over Milford River also built and 
supported by the Turnpike Company. 

18 10 Gulf Bridge. 

THE OLD KING'S HIGHWAY 

The Route that PROBABLvf Washington took through 
THE Town on his Journey from Philadelphia to Cam- 
bridge TO take Command of the Armies of the United 
Colonies on Wednesday, June 28, 1775. 

Crossing the Housatonic River by the Ferry, a few rods 
North of Washington Bridge; then on a road (Witch Road), 
running north of the present Turnpike terminating near Hog 
Rock, continuing on the present Turnpike to a fork in the 
road near the present Tibbal's House, then following left hand 
of fork along by the Railroad, across the Bridge, to the right, 
to the next fork, then left a short distance crossing Clark 
Street. Keeping the upper road, next corner turning right 
into West Main Street over what was known as Capt. Cor- 
nelius Peck Hill, continuing on West Main over Col. Ford 
Hill, where there was an old tavern built in 1710. On reach- 
ing the church he turned right into West River Street to 
where the railroad bridge is now, then left into Daniel Street, 
then left across what is now Memorial Bridge along by the 
railroad route across Gulf Street to Buckingham Avenue, a 
short street running into New Haven Avenue : crossing Indian 
River, over Fells Hill to fork in the road, turning left by 
schoolhouse at Burwell's Farm into New Haven Avenue, turn- 

* Upon the completion of Washington Bridge the ferry was sold to 
William Hopkins for $750.00, but a ferry was mentioned at Oronoque 
as late as 1850. 

t Prepared for the Pilgrimage in 1914 of the Officers of the National 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution to mark the route 
taken by Gen. Washington on his journey from Philadelphia to Cam- 
bridge to take command of the Army of the United Colonies, June 22nd 
to July 3d, 1775. 



22 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

ing left keeping the Avenue, crossing 03^ster River Bridge ; 
turning left over Jones Hill intO' West Haven at the Green, 
Campbell Avenue to Mil ford Hill over West Bridge to New 
Haven. 

Mile stones were erected along this road by Benjamin 
Franklin during his administration as Postmaster-General of 
the United States. 



*MILFORD AS A MILL TOWN 

1640 From its settlement, Milford became famous as a 
Mill town. March, 1640, it was "agreed between William 
Fowler and the brethren that he should build a mill and have 
her going by the last of September" ; for his encouragement 
the Town made him a grant of thirty acres, rent free during 
his life, which land long bore the name of the Mill Lot. It was 
the first mill erected in New Haven Colony and was of such 
importance that when damaged by a freshet the town "voted 
whenever aid was needed that each man should contribute one 
day's work." 

1675 A Fulling Mill and a Saw Mill were built on the 
Island near the meeting house by Maj. Treat, Elder Buck- 
ingham, Lieut. Fowler, and Thomas Hayes. 

1689 A fulling Mill was built upon Beaver Brook by Capt. 
Samuel Eells, Timothy Baldwin and Samuel Couch. Per- 
mission was given them upon consideration that they agree to 
build a bridge if the dam stopped the water to such an extent- 
as to make it impassable for horses or carts. 

1706 John Plumm, Sr., was permitted to set up a Grist 
Mill at East River, on condition "that he build a good cause- 
way and bridge for foot, cart and horse over the river," he 
and his heirs and assigns to keep the same in repair. 

1 713-14 A mill was erected by a company of forty at the 
Gulf but did not prove a success. 

* Name may have been acquired from the English town of this name 
or from the Mill by the ford. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 2$ 

BURYING GROUND 

The Indians had a burying ground at Indian Point between 
East River and the Sound. In digging the cellar for the 
house of Daniel Buckingham some years since, skeletons were 
unearthed buried in a sitting posture and apparently preserved 
by charcoal. One skeleton indicated that the owner was nearly 
eight feet in height. The Indians also had burying grounds 
at Oronoque and Turkey Hill. 

The eastern end of Mr. Prudden's garden, Plot 40, was first 
utilized by the settlers as a burying place and Sarah Camp, 
wife of Nicholas, was the first adult person buried on this 
spot. It is said that she had twins and was doing well until 
the night of the 4th of September, when she was taken sud- 
denly ill from a cold, died in the morning and was buried in 
the evening in the garden of Mr. Peter Prudden, pastor. 

This locality was used for the purpose of a burying ground 
until 1675. MJ"- Prudden, himself, was buried there in 1656. 

Apparently the old part of the present burying ground was 
acquired at about that time. It is one of the most ancient 
and interesting in the country and contains the graves of 
many of the settlers born in England. 

Inscriptions on tombstones erected prior to 1800 were trans- 
scribed and annotated by the late Nathan G. Pond in 1889 
and published in the New Haven Colony Historical Society 
papers, Vol. V. 

1 75 1 Previous to 1751 the old burying ground was open 
on all sides ; but at that time a fence was built on the road 
side and a road three rods wide laid out on the south side. 
Adjoining ground has been acquired by purchase at different 
times. 

1825 Not until 1825 was a hearse purchased, the old- 
fashioned method of carrying on a bier existing until that 
time. 

The present cemetery contains the following identified 
graves of Revolutionary patriots, the tombs indicated by a 
bronze marker furnished by the Connecticut Society Sons of 
the American Revolution: — John Buckingham, Benjamin 



24 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Gillette, John Ford, Amos Ford, Capt. Charles Pond, Lieut. 
Benjamin Fenn, Lieut. John Fowler, Lieut. Jehiel Bryant, Sr., 
Sergt. Jehiel Bryant, Jr., Lieut. Nathan Baldwin, Samuel 
Wise, Samuel B. Smith, S^iiiuel Clarke and David Clarke. 

There are undoubtedly other graves of Revolutionary 
patriots that are yet unidentified. 

On the southwest corner of the old burying ground stands 

an imposing monument in memory of revolutionary soldiers 

who were buried on this spot.* The following inscription tells 

the story : 

INSCRIPTION 

In honor of Forty-six American Soldiers who sacrificed their lives 
in struggHng for the Independence of their country; this monument 
was erected in 1852, by joint liberality of the General Assembly; 
the people of Milford and other contributing friends. Two hundred 
American Soldiers, in a destitute, sickly and dying condition, were 
brought from a British Prison Ship, near New York, and suddenly cast 
upon our shore from a British Cartel ship, on the first of January 
1777. The Inhabitants of Milford made the most charitable efforts for 
the relief of these suffering strangers; yet notwithstanding all their 
kind ministrations in one month these 46 died and were buried in one 
common grave. 

Names and Residences as Inscribed on the Monument. 

Captain Stephen Stow, Milford, Feb. 8, 1777; Age 51 years. 

Josiah Colman, Sharon; Ebenezer Upham, Killingly; John Smith, 
Chatham; Antonio Gomez, Spain; John Clements, Middlebury; Richard 
Drake, Mass. ; Samuel Fuller, Norwich ; Amos Smith, Conn. ; John Snow, 
Chatham; Richard Holder, Glastonbury; John Biddle, New London; 
John White, Mass. ; William Thomas, Rocky Hill ; Ebenezer Truman, 
Harwinton ; Hezikiah Lee, Norwalk; Joseph Trowbridge, Killingly; 
Stephen Brown, Mass.; Benjamin Peas, Attleborough ; Samuel Everett, 
W^rentham ; Samuel Gale, Penn. ; Richard Polsey, Conn.; Nathan Wil- 
ton, Conn.; Elijah Gregory, New London; Thomas Madison, ; 

Solomon Jackson, Middlebury; Joseph Arnold, Chatham; Thomas 
Wright, Simsbury; Simon Elwell, Mass.; Abel Hart, Farmington; 

Constant Turner, Middletown; John , Penn.; Robert Coling- 

ham. Cape Ann; Benjamin Frisby, Harwinton; Abram Beach, Goshen; 
Asa Ladd, Haverhill ; Samuel Whitney, Stratford ; Elisha Bronson, 
Litchfield; John Pomeroy, Northampton; Joseph Mansier, Middlebury; 

Stephen , Penn. ; Richard Minot, Mass. ; Sergt. Smith, Mass. ; 

Daniel Benedict, Harwinton; Sergt. Wright, Bolton; Sergt. George 
Milburn, Salem; Daniel Farnham, Windham. 

* These men were cared for by Stephen Stow, husband of Freelove 
Baldwin Stow, after whom the Milford Chapter Daughters of the 
American Revolution was named. 




South view of the first Meeting House. 




Ground plan of the first Meeting House. 

A, the pulpit; B, deacons' seat; C, guard seats; D, guard seats 
on the women's side of the house. The. dots show the place where 
the guns were set. E, gallery stairs. The bell rope hung down in 
the middle aisle. 



26 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

CHURCHES 

1 64 1 The first meeting house, erected in 1641, was forty 
feet square. A gallery was added in 1697 and in 1700 a 
place was provided back of the seats for the "guards to set 
their arms." *Tn sitting, respect was paid to aged persons, 
the wives of church officers and magistrates, general military 
officers and deaf persons." 

1727-8 The second meeting house was built 80x65 feet, 
three stories high, two tiers of gallery, the upper one designed 
for the slaves and other blacks to sit in. The plan of the house 
was said to have been drawn by Governor Law, 1740. It was 
voted to purchase a new bell of 600 pounds, the old one being 
cracked.* In the same year Ebenezer Parmelee set up a 
brazed clock, which proving to be a good one, the Town, two 
years after, paid for it. In 1825 the Town employed Barzillai 
Davidson to make a new wooden clock at an expense of $260. 
He took for part payment the old brazed wheel clock, allowing 
for it $40. This, it is said, he set up and sold in New York 
for $600. 

1 741 The Second Presbyterian Society at Milford was 
originated in 1741 by members of the First Church, opposed 
to the settlement of Mr. Whittlesey. "The debates were 
conducted with so much passion that it is said fists were 
doubled." The first meeting was at the home of Mr. George 
Clark, Jr. Persons who qualified as Presbyterians according 
to the Church of Scotland were George Clark, Samuel Tyrrel, 
Bartholomew Sears, Benjamin Fenn, Ezra Camp, Nathaniel 
Buckingham, George Clark, Jr., Henry Peck, Joel Baldwin, 
Elder Noah Baldwin, Ephraim Strong, Jr., Samuel Whiting, 

* The old bell was taken to the foundry for old metal in part payment 
for the new one. It was brazed and sold to a society in Waterbury and 
now hangs in the belfry in the church at Salem Bridge and is considered 
to be the best bell in the State. 

No one was excused from attending the public worship on Sunday, 
except on account of sickness. A fine of Four Shillings and sometimes 
a whipping was imposed for non-attendance. Apples and nuts were not 
to be indulged in on the Lord's day or travel more than a sabbath journey 
(two miles) except to attend meeting. 




CO " 

" a 



-CI 
"I 

J3ja 



a== 






52 






« c 2 
v B '■ 



28 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Benjamin Fenn, Jr., John Smith, Jesse Lambert, Samuel Sand- 
ford, 3d, Joseph Fenn, Jr., Jeremiah Peck, Jr., Peleg Baldwin, 
Samuel Sanford, Samuel Smith, Andrew Sandford, Jr. John 
Sandford, William S. Sears, also, soon after, Andrew Sand- 
ford, Jonathan Fowler, Josiah Tibbals, Ephraim Strong, Josiah 
Northrop, Samuel Sandford, Jr., Joseph Fenn, Samuel Bristol, 
John Downs, Samuel Oviatt, Thomas Tibbals, Thomas Welch, 
Jerijah Baldwin, Edmund Treat and Horace Peck. 

1764 The Episcopal Society was formed in 1764 although 
the collector of taxes in 1739 had complained that they met 
with difficulty in collecting from some persons who called 
themselves Episcopalians (Church of England), and it was 
voted that the selectmen should apply for advice to the Hon. 
Jonathan Law, Roger Newton and Samuel Gunn, Esq., and 
proceed according to their advice. The church was built in 
1 771 and consecrated with the name of "St. George Church" 
in March, 1775. 

1836 The Methodist Episcopal Society of Mil ford was 
formed in August 1836 at the home of Stephen Gunn and 
for a year held services in the Baptist Church then standing. 
In 1837 a building was purchased on North Street for $450, 
and was used for worship until 1844, when the larger and 
more commodious one was built on Main Street opposite the 
present Mil ford Trust Company and the first building was 
sold to D. Beach & Co. for use in connection with their car- 
riage factories. The present Mary Taylor Memorial Methodist 
Episcopal Church, built on Broad Street in 1892-3, by the 
children of the late Henry A. and Mary Taylor as a memorial 
to their mother, is one of the most beautiful and artistic 
churches of the present day. 

1853 The first Catholic church was erected on Gulf Street 
and was continued as a mission attached to St. Mary's of New 
Haven. 

1 88 1 As expressed by Rev. P. H. McClean in an interest- 
ing History of the Catholic Church in Milford, "With the zeal 
and hearty cooperation of the faithful of Saint Mary's, the 
present church was built and dedicated on June 25th, 1882." 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 29 

TAVERNS 

The Tavern, or Public House, was of great importance to 
the early settlers, the method of traveling being such as to 
require a stop for refreshments for man or beast at frequent 
intervals. 

1644 The Town Records of 1644 refer to a debate in 
reference to an "Ordinary" and offered inducement to Henry 
Tomlinson if he would undertake one speedily so that the 
"town might not be destitute." Apparently Tomlinson 
exchanged property with Richard Bryan and established a 
Public House. Lambert says, "on the old country road 10 or 
12 rods west of the meeting house." 

1656 In 1656, Tomlinson was before the court for selling 
strong water, wine and beer at greater prices than allowed. 
This tavern was afterwards kept by the Bryans and is said to 
have existed up to about 1820; then kept by David Butler. 

1789 General Washington stopped twice at Milford. Lam- 
bert says that this tavern was kept by Andrew Clark in 1789. 
Livestigation indicates that the Clark Tavern was located on 
or near Plot 11 where Joseph R. Clark now lives on West 
River Street ; a portion of the house is still standing and in 
good state of preservation. Mrs. Clark (Sarah Ford) relates 
a story often told her by her grandmother, who saw George 
Washington as he came up the stone steps; one or two of 
these steps near the top are now standing and serve as an 
entrance from the street to the present house. Her grand- 
mother, who lived in this house, also recalled General Washing- 
ton's order of bread and milk for supper, and being served 
with a pewter spoon, asked, for a silver one. When told that 
the house did not afford one, he gave a shilling to the attend- 
ant with instructions to "go over to the minister's and borrow 
one." 

1705 A tavern was kept on lot 50 by one John Camp. 

1 7 10 A house was built and opened by Samuel Miles on 
the hill known as the "Col. Samuel B. Ford Hill." 



30 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

1830-40 There were at least four Public Houses in the 
town of sufficient importance to be mentioned by Lambert. 
One at Washington Bridge kept by Capt. Frank Trowbridge, 
one at Mil ford Point kept by Bennagh Thompson. This was 
said to be "a delightful resort for people from the country 
who wished to visit the seashore." The Mil ford Hotel on 
Broad Street standing on the present site of the Chapter House 
of the Daughters of the American Revolution, was the most 
important and was kept by Nathan Merwin. Another on the 
opposite side of the green, probably the DeWitt house (now 
standing), was also a Public House at that time and was kept 
by Capt. Stephen Trowbridge. A Tavern once stood opposite 
the Episcopal Church called "Buddington Tavern." 



EDUCATION 

Education received early attention. The first schoolmaster 
was Jasper Gunn. Richard Bryan was also an early teacher. 

1645 In 1645 the first school house was built and occupied 
until 1734. 

1656 According to New Haven Records, a Latin school 
was established in Mil ford. It seemed to be still in existence 
in 1696. An appropriation of thirty pounds was made from 
the treasury of the town and the school was kept open the 
whole year. ]\Ir. Samuel Andrews, the teacher, was to see 
"that the school was attended by such scholars that need 
learning." 

1750 In 1750 schools were established at Amity (Wood- 
bridge), ye Bryan's Farms, Burwell's Farms and Wheeler's 
Farms. 

1790 In 1790, Steven Gunn, Esq., was appointed treasurer 
and Gideon Buckingham, clerk, to receive public money for the 
school fund and the following committee were appointed to 
collect the money and pay it over to the treasury : Abraham 
W. DeWitt, Joseph Pratt, Jr., William Cogswell, William 
Atwater, Nathan Baldwin and Lewis Mallett. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 3 I 

1734 In 1734, a new school house was buih that was torn 
down in 1758 by British Soldiers on a lark or revel. That 
year being the year of the French and Indian Wars, a company 
of the King's Troops were quartered in the town. 

1833 In 1833 a Town Hall was built, "Elijah Baldwin, 
Architect, expense $12,000; 42x32 feet; two stories high." 
The upper story was used for a central school room. It was 
voted that the lower part of this building should be occupied 
for the use of the town exclusively and the upper part for 
the advancement of education. It is the impression of the 
writer that the Original West Town House, yet standing, is 
the building herein described. Many hundred of Milford 
boys received their education on the second floor of that portion 
of this Town House. In the first two hundred years of the 
existence of the town, or up to 1838, one hundred had received 
collegiate education. 



MILFORD FURNISHED THE FIRST THREE 

RECTORS OR PRESIDENTS OF YALE 

COLLEGE 

It is a most remarkable fact that the three first officers, 
rectors or presidents of Yale College were directly or indirectly 
of the town of Milford. 

First President. Abraham Pierson, the first rector of Yale 
College, resided in Milford after his graduation and pursued 
his theological studies under Mr. Newton. There he married 
Abigail Clark (daughter of George Clark), sister of Sarah, 
the mother of Governor Law. Pierson held the position of 
Yale's president from 1701 until his death in 1712. 

Second President. Samuel Andrews, who was for fifty 
years a pastor in the town of Milford, was the successor of 
Abraham Pierson in 1707 and was the second rector or 
President of Yale. 

Third President. In 17 19, Rev. Timoth}^ Cutler, son-in-law 
of Rector Andrews, was third Rector or President of Yale 
and as Dexter says, "was selected not without misgivings." 



32 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

He was thirty-five years of age, had made a favorable im- 
pression for abiHty. During his administration, the first 
college building was erected at New Haven. "About the time 
it was finished," as expressed by Dexter, "the Rector's use- 
fulness came to a sudden end, when it became known that 
he was considering the question of declaring for Episcopacy." 

Editor's Notes 

Pierson and Andrews were original trustees at the meeting of the 
Connecticut pastors at Branford in 1701 that had constituted the founding 
of Yale College. It was then designated by Boston gentlemen from 
Harvard College as a collegiate school. 

The first Yale commencement was held in 1702 at the house of Thomas 
Buckingham (of Milford descent) at Saybrook Point. 

The beautiful and picturesque "Laurelton Hall," formerly the estate 
of the late Henry A. Taylor (built by Charles H. Pond) is, at the 
present time, a Catholic boarding school for young ladies, conducted by 
the Sisters of Mercy. There are usually from seventy-five to one 
hundred pupils. 



TRADE, COMMERCE AND SHIP BUILDING 

1819 The Gazetteer of the State of Connecticut and Rhode 
Island, 1819, refers to Milford as an ancient maritime post 
township and says, "It is a circumstance of no small import- 
ance that it is situated immediately upon a stream of water 
communicating directly with Milford Harbor which is navi- 
gable to the Sound and sufficiently copious to operate the 
mills. . . . The waters of the 'Ousatonick,' wash its Western 
border and the Wapawaug runs through its center from North 

to South The great Atlantic road from New Haven 

to New York leads through the center of this town 



It has vessels engaged in foreign and coastwise trade. . . . 
There is a comfortable and pleasant village which is of an 

ancient date It comprises within the limits of about 

one mile space, nearly 100 dwellings many of which are neat 

and handsome buildings There are 4 corn mills ; one 

of which is a large merchant's mill for flour and contains 4 run 
of stones, 3 full mills and clothiers' works 3 carding machines 
and 3 canneries. . . . The population in 1810 was 2,674; 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 33 

3 companies of militia and 380 dwelling- houses. The list of 
the town 1816, was 54,320 (dollars). This is one of the 
ancient towns of the State and was settled as early as 1638." 

1640 The first merchants were Alexander Bryan and son, 
Richard: as early as 1640 trade with Boston by water was 
begun. 

1650 The town granted Bryan a piece of land as a store- 
house, corner of Broad Street and Dock Lane (Wharf Street) 
and he built a dock at the end of the Lane. 

1653 He contributed the dock to the town in 1653 on 
condition that it should always be kept in good repair at the 
expense of the town. 

1655 The town gave Richard Bryan permission to build 
a warehouse near his father's home on the other side of the 
highway and Sergeant East a warehouse between this and 
the home of Miles Merwin the tanner. 

1675 The men above mentioned owned vessels making 
voyages to the West Indies and between Milford and Boston. 
They sent to the West Indies cattle, horses, beef and corn 
meal and brought back rum and molasses. 

1686 The town encouraged trade and commerce by giving 
Nicholas Camp the ground for a new warehouse. 

1696 Mungel Nesbitt, a resident of the town, was given 
liberty to prosecute free trade and commerce and he opened 
traffic to New York in 1696. 

1714 Samuel Clarke bought Bryan's warehouse in 1714 
and. in 1 730 Peter Perritt, a Frenchman, built a wharf and sent 
a ship to France (for a cargo of wine) which made a good 
voyage across the ocean but was wrecked and the cargo lost 
between Newport and Milford. 

About 1754, John Gibbs engaged in maritime enterprises 
and sent boats from Milford to Holland. 

1790 Charles Pond & Co. built the wharf at the Gulf. 

1 82 1 Strong & Miles engaged beyond their capacity in a 
commercial enterprise and failed. With their failure it is 
said the marine commercial enterprises of the town were 
discontinued. 



34 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

1690 Ship building was prominent in 1690. A brig of 
150 tons was built and in 1695 another for a Boston merchant. 

1 717 The Sea flower was launched by Richard Bryan and 
several boats were built at Milford for New York and Boston 
people. The last important vessel built was an East Indian 
ship named Isabella, launched in 18 18, owned by parties in 
New York. Vessels were also, at this period, built upon the 
"Housatonic" River and at Wheeler's Farm. A ship building 
plant in the rear of Fowler's Mill existed during the early 
part of the nineteenth century. 

1 65 1 Hop raising was once a most important industry of 
the town and it was encouraged by the authorities. In 1651 
action was taken by the General Court, owing to the pressing 
need for hops. Acres of ground were granted to Edward 
Wooster to be improved as a hop garden. Sergeant Camp 
afterwards had a grant for a hop garden "for as much land 
as he should want beside the Paugusett River" (Housatonic). 

Editor's Note 

In the early part of 1800 the quarrying of marble at Milford was an 
important industry The color of the stone was a verde antique and it 
was so attractive that the Capitol at Washington contains chimney pieces 
made from this marble. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



35 



Stiles in 1794 says, "Governor Treat's house was on Mr. 
Tapp's lot." He says, "Mr. Edmund Treat, now 80 years old, 
lives and owns the farm lot with other pieces of land that were 
INIr. Tapp's and Governor Treat's." 





Southwest view of Governor Treat's House. 

The following is the fac-simile of his signature, and of the 
seal used by him: 

^^^^ treat 



Robert Treat* was by far the most distinguished citizen the 
town ever produced from its settlement to the present date. 
He was a son of Richard, the founder of Wethersfield, and 
came to Mil ford (when sixteen years of age) with Rev. Prud- 
den. He rapidly rose to prominence and, being a surveyor, 
assisted in the laying out of the town. 

1653 Lambert gives him the credit of being the first Town 
Clerk of Milford from 1640 to 1648 but this fact is difficult 
to establish. He was chosen Deputy from the General Court 

* For a more complete account see New Haven Colony Historical 
Society, Vol. 7, paper entitled "Robert Treat, Founder, Farmer, Soldier, 
Statesman, Governor," read before the New Haven Colony Historical 
Society by George Hare Ford, 191 1. 



i C80SO8JS SJTOOR m 

I IMt CAPTAIN KOBERT/TREATSftm CftUSEJ EIOHT ^ 

^ MRES FOR HIS HOHE iOTT ■* 

K REmSTOWN WAGISTRATOHEiFlRST;^ 

r 0NE:OF THETWBEPIITIES to THE 1^^ 

AND 1^ T8EaENERAl AFFAIRS OF THE YOUNGl . 

■m 167^ RE RETORNBD to CONKBCf ICUT 
iJA^ 

LirKlfe PHILIPS mftRE WAS GDVBRNOHFOR^^^ 
: YEARS INI^mS ONE OF TRATPAUNTIESS COflPA 
REFUSEStO; SJIIRRINMMHE:^^^ 
AND;€ON€EAIiDlimK^^ 

:I :: : imat: me the 'it^^NCi: the; PESAYAtk:' , ; 

ilTHE WOTY FORERWER^Orttt 



gRECTEB BY 

THESeaOOlMEN'S eiliB 

ASSISti& BY TK^ ?umS 0? T??£ >Jg^ftK ?VBye SCHOOLS 



Treat Tablet ON IOnnry i^uildin- 



CourUsy of Newark Evening News. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 37 

to Milford in 1653 and annually each year until 1659, when 
he was elected magistrate and served until 1664, when he 
declined reelection in consequence of being obliged to take the 
oath prescribed, namely : — favoring the union of New Haven 
and Connecticut Colonies. At this time great discontent pre- 
vailed and Milford declined to send representatives to the 
General Court. The union of the two colonies was accom- 
plished in 1665 but on terms so unsatisfactory tO' Robert Treat 
that he, with forty heads of families from New Haven, Mil- 
ford and Branford, together with Abraham Pierson, the first 
rector of Yale College, as their spiritual leader, removed and 
settled on the banks of the Passaic River. They called that 
place "Milford," which was its name until 1667 when its 
name was changed to Newark in honor of the English home 
of Rev. Mr. Pierson. 

Treat was an acknowledged leader of men. Stearns in his 
history of Newark speaks of him as follows : — "Next comes 
Robert Treat the flower and pride of the whole company and 
to whose wise energy Newark owes much of its early order 
and good management." 

The inscription upon the tablet (see illustration) which was 
recently erected in Newark on the site of his old home will 
show the regard in which he is still held by the people. 

1672 Treat, however, returned to Milford, 1672; but 
retained his property in New Jersey, leaving two of his chil- 
dren on that soil. At all Newark historical celebrations Robert 
Treat is referred to as the father and founder. 

1654 -"^s early as 1654, Treat was chosen as Lieutenant 
of the Train band at Milford. Later he was elected Captain 
and in 1673 was commissioned as Major and formed a com- 
mittee of safety. 

1675 King Phillip's War. Robert Treat was chosen Com- 
mander-in-chief of the Connecticut forces. The most con- 
spicuous event in his long military career was the "Swamp 
Fight." On his return he was commissioned Colonel of the 
militia of New Haven County. 

1676 The following year he was elected Deputy-Governor 
of the Colony and was annually elected Governor or Deputy- 



38 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Governor for thirty-two years until 1708, when he decHned 
reelection to the office ; having served during the most im- 
portant years of New England's history. In 1686 and 1687, 
James II. recalled all the charters of the New England 
colonies. 

The General Assembly of Connecticut convened, Governor 
Treat in the chair presided over the deliberators. Sir Edmund 
Andros arrived with great ceremony, demanding the charter 
in the name of the crown. "The story of the hiding of the 
charter," and the facts in connection therewith are a chapter 
of history. The charter was preserved, it is said, "through 
the diplomacy and skillful management by the masterhand 
of Governor Robert Treat." 

Editor's Note 

There are more descendants from Richard and Robert Treat among the 
members of The Society of Colonial Wars than from any other family. 

1709 Col. Robert Newton is referred to as a prominent 
man in Mil ford. He was a grandson of the minister, a gradu- 
ate of Harvard, distinguished as a military officer in Queen 
Anne's War, 1709, served at Louisburg as commander of the 
Connecticut troops; was a Colonel of the Second Regiment, 
Judge of the County Court and Chief Judge in 1737 until his 
death. 

1665 Gideon Buckingham is referred to as a prominent 
man in the colony. A graduate of Yale in 1665, thirty-four 
years town clerk. 

Gov. Charles Hobby Pond, whose attractive residence stood 
upon Broad Street, will long be remembered by many of the 
present day. Of commanding presence — democratic and 
aristocratic — courteous and magnetic; his characteristics have 
been transmitted to his descendants. Milford owes much to 
this distinguished family, especially the late Nathan G. Pond 
of cherished memory. 

Editor's Note 

For other prominent men who have been distinguished in the various 
walks of life, Military and Civic, including ancestors of the Signers of the 
Declaration of Independence, see Historical Address of George Hare 
Ford upon the unveiling of the Milford Fountain, page 70. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



39 



This house stood on lot 15, original map. Governor Law 
purchased the lot and the Regicide house and according to 
Stiles built his house a rod or two from the Regicide house. 

Governor Law (Jonathan, Jr.) was a grandson of Richard 
Law who was a first settler of Wethersfield, later moving to 
Stamford where he became a magistrate and had business at 




Southeast view of Govtrnor Laio*s House 

The following is a fac-simile of Governor Law's signature, 
and his private seal, which, it may be seen, is a combination of 
the letters composing his name : 



^c-n^^muu ^^^ 



^^^i%\^« 




New Haven. The following story is told in connection with 
the settlement of Jonathan Law at Milford in 1664: Richard, 
the magistrate, and Jonathan his son were being entertained 
by Robert Treat (afterwards Governor) over Sunday. At the 
meeting house Jonathan was charmed with the appearance of 
one of the maidens present, who proved to be Sarah, a daugh- 



ter of George Clark. 



Arrangements were made for an intro- 



duction and Jonathan was successful in his suit. They were 
married in 1664. Their son, Jonathan, Jr. (afterwards Gov- 
ernor), was educated at Harvard, graduating in 1695. He 



40 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Studied law and acquired a reputation in this State as a coun- 
sellor. In 1724 he was chosen Deputy-Governor; in 1741 
Governor and he was annually reelected until his death. In 
1750 President Stiles of Yale College pronounced, as one 
expressed it, a pompous funeral oration in Latin upon this 
occasion. Governor Law had five wives: 1698, Anne Elliott; 
1705, Abigail Arnold; 1706, Abigail Andrew, daughter of the 

Minister. His fourth, Sarah , 1726, died 1727; the 

fifth, Eunice, widow of Samuel Andrew, survived him. Gov- 
ernor Law had seven sons, Jahleel, died 1701 ; Jonathan, born 
1705; Jaheel, born 1707, settled in Cheshire; Samuel, 1711, 
Milford; Richard, 171 2, died early; Richard, 1732, settled 
in New London; John, 1735, died in the Army, French War. 
Richard and John were students at Yale at the time of the 
death of their father. Richard graduated in 1751; was a 
member of Congress, Judge of the Superior Court; and died 
Mayor of the City of New London. 

The Regicide House is Considered to be the Oldest in 
Existence in the Town To-day 

Goffe and Whalley, two of the Judges who signed the death 
warrant of Charles the First, resided in concealment in the 
vicinity of Milford from 1 661 -1664, three years and seven 
months. 

The most prominent house of historic interest that can be 
identified as still in existence is undoubtedly the Regicide 
House, restored and removed within the recollection of many 
of the present day to the south side of Peacock Lane (now 
Maple Street) a short distance from West River Street. 

It is in a good state of preservation and the outline of the 
main house may readily be recognized. This house originally 
stood on the site of the present central school house. Lambert 
says it stood on plot 15. Stiles says, "The Judges took up an 
asylum in the house of Mr. Tompkins thirty or forty rods 
from the meeting house ; that Governor Law afterwards 
bought this house and lot and built his seat on that lot a rod 
or two from it." He, Stiles, was frequently in the Tompkins 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 



41 



house in the Governor's time. The building was about "twenty 
feet square, two floors on a stone wall and considered as a 
store : the top floor used by the Tompkins family as a spinning 
room." 

"The Judges were here in concealment for two years, 
1 661 -2. Roger Newton was the minister. Mr. Treat, Mr. 
Fenn and a few others were said to be in the secret." 




The Judges also lived for a time at Judges' Cave and at 
Providence Hill, Amity, "Woodbridge." The hill is said to 
have acquired its name in connection with the Judges.* 

Stiles states that Mr. George Clark, a very intelligent man, 
pointed out to him the Providence Hill and in a deed executed 
by this Mr. Clark in 1716 in deeding land to his son he 
describes it as being at a place called the Lodge. A brook 
of water running westward was called Bladen Brook. This 
place is now on the farm owned, I think, by Mr. Peck. While 
living here Richard Sperry of Woodbridge furnished the 
Regicides with food. The Lodge is sometimes called Hatchet 
Harbor. 
* See History of the Judges, President Stiles, 1794. 



42 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

TOWN CLERKS 

The following is a list of the town clerks, from the settle- 
ment of the town to the present time, with the year they were 
chosen: Robert Treat 1640, Richard Baldwin 1648, Samuel 
Eells 1680, Daniel Buckingham 1685, Thomas Oviatt (or 
Offat) 1689, Alexander Bryan 1698, Jonathan Law, Jr., 1705, 
John Fowler 17 18, John Fowler, Jr., 1756, David B. Ingersoll 
1774, Samuel Whittlesey 1774, Gideon Buckingham 1776, 
Abraham V. H. DeWitt 1809, Samuel Higby 181 3, David L. 
Baldwin 1836, John W. Fowler 1876, Richard R. Hapburn 
1895, Frank T. Munson 19 12. 

ARCTIC ENGINE COMPANY 

Arctic Fire Engine Company No. i of Milford was organ- 
ized in 1839, and has been in continual existence to the present 
time with a membership composed of the most influential men 
of the town. The following is a list of Foremen with the date 
of service: Theo. Buddington 1838-40, Hammond Beach 
1841-45, Wilson Plumb 1846-50, Mark Tibbals 1851-52, Mark 
Mallett 1853-55, John P. Downes 1856, Francis H. Bradley 
1857, David Miles 1858-73, Charles Luke 1874-76, Charles 
Munson 1877-82, Wm. H. Andrews 1883-89, E. L. Ford 
1890-92, Frank L. Burns 1893-94, Frank L. Burns 1894-1900, 
Walter M. Irving 1900-02, Charles G. Fowler 1902-03, James 
E. Nolan 1903-04, Mortimer B. Fowler 1904-07, James E. 
Dorsey 1907-08, Herman Roder 1908-09, Anthony F. Schlos- 
ser 1909-10, James E. Dorsey 1910-11, Lewis F. Stowe 
1911-14. 

Lambert says, "Milford is a very healthy town" and the 
following physicians had practised in the town up to 1838: — 
Jasper Gunn, John Durand, John Fisk, Jean Harpine, Ezekiel 
Newton, Zebulon Gillet, Thomas Clark, Elias Carrington, 
Samuel Whittelsey, Caleb Austin, John Rossiter, Abrahani 
Tomlinson, John Carrington, Wm. Tully, Chas. Beardsley, 
Elijah F. Bryan, Andrew French, Hull Allen, and Joseph 
Tomlinson. 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 43 

NEW MILFORD SETTLED BY MILFORD 

1701-02 At a town meeting it was "voted to purchase 
land at Wiantinoque of the Heathen" and all the freemen 
who desired to take a share were at liberty to do so and those 
who desired to exempt themselves, likewise had the liberty to 
do so. The committee appointed to conduct the transaction 
consisted of Col. Robert Treat, Ensign George Clark, Ensign 
Joseph Treat, Mr. Thomas Clark, Ensign Joseph Peck, Sergt. 
Jonathan Baldwin and Sergt. Timothy Baldwin. They were 
instructed "to secure the town's interest there to the best of 
their skill."* 

THE TOWN OF ORANGE 

1822 Incorporated by the General Assembly in 1822; it 
was originally known as the North Mil ford Parish and its 
people were accustomed to attend meetings at Mil ford as late 
as 1805. 

OWNERS OF SLAVES, 1790 

1790 According to the First Census of the United States, 
the following residents of Milford in 1790, were owners of 
slaves : Elias Carrington, i ; Daniel Buckingham, 2 ; Enoch 
Clark, I ; Joseph Treat, 2 ; Jonah Newton, 4 ; John Smith, i ; 
Samuel Smith, i ; Joseph Rogers, i ; Isaac Clark, i ; Char- 
lotte Andrews, I ; Phebe Woodruff, i ; Samuel Piatt, i ; Heil 
Bryan, 3 ; Enoch Clark, 2d, i ; Gideon Piatt, i ; Elias Clark, 2 ; 
William Andrew, 2 ; Richard Treat, i ; John Murrain, i ; 
Elisha Treat, i ; Newton Morris, i ; Benedick Law, i. 

*For other towns settled by Milford see Historical Address, George 
Hare Ford, page 70. 



NAMES OF THE HEADS OF FAMILIES RESIDING IN THE TOWN OF MILFORD 
ACCORDING TO THE FIRST UNITED STATES CENSUS 



Carrington, Elias 

Higglns, Timothy 

Hine, Joel 

Martin, Susannah 

Marchant, Mary 

Nettleton, Samuel 

Fem, Mary 

Clarke, Elizabeth 

Buckingham, Daniel 

Talmage, Ezra 

Strong, Ephrahim 

Strong. Ephrahim 

Marshal, Joseph 

Marshall, John 

Northrop, Clement 

Peering, Samuel 

Peering Andrew 

Peering, John 

JDeering, Ann 

Clarke, Patty 

Clarke, David 

Burk, John 

Bristol, Elizabeth 

Sommers, Abel, 2 

Ashborn, Abigal 

Bristol, Phico 

Hatch, Daniel 

Kewton, John 

Treat, Isaac 

Clarke, Enoch 

Prudden, Jonathan 

Clarke, Neah^ 

Treat, Joseph 

Treat, Isaac 

Treat, Kobert 

Storer, Joseph. 

Hine, John. 



Hine, Joseph 

Trost, Samiiel 

Ailing, Gidion 

Woods, Samuell 

Clarke, Amos 

Evans, Evan 

Newton, Jonah 

Summers, Henry 

Summers, Isaac. .... 

Smith, John 

Gillet, Ehphalet 

Gillet, Jonathan 

Smith, Joseph 

Smith, Samuel 

Jack (Negroe) 

Peter (Negroe) 

Munson, Wilham 

Kogers, Joseph 

Smith, David 

Summers, Abel 

Munson, Daniel 

Benjamin, Berzeler.. 

Botsford, Aron 

Bassett , Mary , 

Turrel, Mary 

Foot, John , 

Simeon (Negroe) 

Joseph (Negroe) 

Ovet, Ellick 

Gunn, Anna 

Roseter, Timothy \V . . . 

Whiting, Joseph 

Baldwin. Thankfull.. 

Morris, Richard 

Merchant , Samuel 

Bum, David 

Nando (Negroe ■> 

Camp, Nath.aniel 

Peck, John, 2"'! 

Tomlinson, David 

B risto w, Nathan 

Bristow, Richard 

Clarke, Oliver 

Northrop, Abel 

Smith, Benjamin 

Lewis, Saraih 

Baldwin, Sibel 

Prindle, Charles 

Ovet, Isaac 

Summers, Agnes 

£elcWord, Elnathan. 



Treat, Jonathan 

Fenn, Sarah 

Priden, Samuel 

Woodruff, Joseph 

Piatt, Joseph 

Mallery, Samuel 

Treat, Daniel 

Bukingham, Ephrahim 

Strong, Elnathan 

Stone, Samuel 

Clarke, Isaac 

Andrews, Charlotte .. 

Nettleton, Benijah 

Fenn, Aron 

Piatt, Richard 

Hine, Stephen 

Woodrufl, Phebe 

Joe (Negroe) 

Piatt, Samuel 

Piatt. Sibel 

Clarke , Nathan 

Hine, Isaac 

Hine, Abraham 

Fenn, James 

Bassett , Edward 

Steward, John 

Pridden, John 

Priden, Fletcher 

Baldwin, Jerad 

Pritchard, Isaac 

Pond, Peter 

TuUer, David 

Colbrith, John 

Downs, John, 2""' 

Downs, John 

Bristol, David 

Welsh, Martha 

Treat, Edmond 

Malery, Benjamin 

Bryant, Heil 

Smith, vVilUam 

Clarke, Enock, 2"'i 

Piatt, Gideon 

Clarke, Elias 

Treat, Sarpuel 

Clarke, Benjam in 

Rogers, Jonathan 

Bryant, John 

Fenn, Samuel 

Andrew, William 

Brj-ant, Thomas 

Woodruff, Ma the w 

Nettleton, Isaac 

Marks, Abraham 

Buckingham, Joseph. . 

Marks, Zachcriah 

Treat, Francis 

Treat, Richard 

Treat, John 

Treat, John, 2'"> 

Parker, Jeremiah 

Fenn, John 

Fenn, Isaac 

Welsh, Thomas 

Murrain, John, 3"^ 

Pritchard, Martha 

Bryant, Heil 

Molton, Joseph 

Peck, Ephrahim 

JeS (Negroe) 

Gabriel, Peter 

Gabriel, Henry 

Bull, Benjamin 

Smith, Ebenezer 

Smith, Andrew 

Bull, Anna 

Peck, Hezekiah 

Baldwin, Justice 

Isaacs. Isaac B 

AS'arren, Jonathan 

Clarke, Thomas 

Mallery, Moses 

Treat, Stephen 

Murrain, John 

Piatt, Benjamin 

Isbell, Israel 

Treat, Elisha 

Hooker, John. 



1790 



Fowler, Nathaniel 

Fowler, Anna 

Hoods, Catherine 

Jones, Isaac 

Lawrence, Katey 

Miles, John 

Green, Sarah 

Clarke, Mary 

Jones, John 

Woods, Titus 

Fowler, John 

Piatt, Jiremiah 

Buckingham, John 

Buckingham, Gedion.. 
Bradley, Israel. 



Goldsmith, Joseph . 
Donalds, Samuel... 

James (Negroe) 

Higby, Samuel 

Plumb, Samuel 

Wise. Samuel 

Pry (Negroe) 

Mallery, Mosses 

Clarke, Andrew 

Britton, Newton. . . 

Lockwood, William 

Carrington, Edward 

Sheldon, Hannah 

Sears, Francis 

Ingersall, Clement 

Green, Anna 



Glenny, \V illiam | 

Jtallet, Lewis 



Miles, Tilla 

Hepbom, Peter. 

Perit, Peter. 

Davidson, James 

Fowler, Nathaniel, 2>«'. . 

Bristow, John 

Biyant, Joseph 

Galbin, Benjamin 

Mallerv. Moses 

Bino, Watham 

Sacket, Daniel 

Stow, Samuel 

Dickenson, Sylvanus . . . 

Harpin , John 

Baldwin, Phineas 

Stow, William 

Bam, Daniel 

Murren, David 

Jcllet, Zebulon 

Davidson. Joseph 

De Witt, Garret 

Coggeshall, William.... 

Bull, Henrj- 

Lartherbie, William 

Pond, Charles 

Tomlinson, Abraham... 

Baldwin. Asbeil 

Smith, Mary 

Arnold, Abigal 

Coggshall, Freegift 

De Wint, Garret N 

De Wint, Abraham N. . 

Tebbalds, James 

Nettleton, Nathaniel 

Goldsmith, Gilbert 

Baldwin, Heil 

Perit, Peter 

Mallet John 

Vanduser, Thomas 

Hicock, Aron 

Gilbert, Katey 

Stow, Freelove 

Stow, Stephen 

Stow, John 

Thompson. James 

Er.ll, Benedah 

Bull, Temperance. 

Miles, Daniel 

Goldsmith, William 

Goldsmith, James 

Goldsmith, James, 2»<i. . 

Beardsley, John 

Gray, William 

Stevens, Eliphalet 

_Tebbalds, Arnold 



Jillet, Eliphalet 

Baldwin, Thadeus 

Baldwin, Abraham 

Ccaser (Negroe) 

Whitney, Isaac 

Prime (Negroe) 

Wctmore, Joseph ; 

Beebie, Joel 

Plumb, John 

Anderson, Atiny 

Prime (Negroe) 

Miles, Theophilus. 

Bull, Jeremiah. 

Baldwin, Isaac 

MaUery,'Daniel 

Baldwm, Jeremiah 

Baldwha, David 

A ttwater, William 

Baldwin, Isaac. 2o<' 

Gowsley, William 

Gunn, Isaac... 

Clarke, Wilham 

Northrop, Lazerus 

Camp, David 

Ford, Amos 

Bisco, Ruth 

Baldwin, Elnathan 

Tomlinson, William... 

Nettleton, Caleb 

Stow, Jedediah 

Baldwin, Advica 

Baldwin, Elisha... 

Baldwin, Nathan 

Baldwin, Eliph 

Tibbalds, Arnold 

Clarke, Jonathan 

Tibbalds, Benedick 

Tibbalds, Samuel 

Baldwin, Nathan, 2o<'.. 

Bard, Abigel 

MiUs, David 

Smith, Joe! 

Clarke, Joseph 

Camp, Ezra 

Ovet, Isaac 

Clarke, Abraham 

Collins. John 

Tibbalds, David 

Camp, Mary 

Bard, Andrew 

Turrel, Samuel 

Turrel, David 

Clarke, Abel 

nine, Samuel 

Tibbalds, Lemuel 

Baldwin, Josiah 

Northrop, Moses 

Smith, Hezekiah 

Smith, Caleb 

Bim, David ., — 

Camp, Elias .' 

Hine, George 

Basset, Samuel 

OCain. Antony 

Bassett, Samuel, 2'<'... 

Bassett, David 

Ovett, Ebenezer 

Smith, Ebenezer 

Peck, Abraham 

Northrop, Heth 

Nettleton, Thaddeus. . 

Ovett, Nathan 

Mallery, Aron 

Basett, Isaac 

Bawley, John. 

Clarke, Joseph 

Peck, Benjamin 

Hine, David 

Beers, Benjamin 

Beers. John 

Tuttle, Andrew 

Tuttle, Andrew, 2"^.. 

Ford, John 

Ford, John, 2''i 

Ford, Thomas 

Ford, Thomas 

Botchford, David 

BotchfordJCli....^.^^ 



iJellet, John 

Clarke, William 

Marren, John 

Sadley, John 

Bens, Juno 

Baldwin, Soloman 

Baldwin, Daniel 

Piatt, Isaac 

Purtree, John 

Plumb, Isaac 1 

Bush, Llndie 4 

Beach, Thomas 

Burrel, Samuel 

Burrel, Samuel, 2'"' 

Jellet, John, 2^<' 

Bunnel, John 

Pritchard, Nathaniel. .. 

Burrel, JeremiaU. 

Burrel, Daniel 

Beech, Thadeus 

Beech, Samuel 

Parker, James 

Plump, Joseph 

Plump, Joseph, 2<"i : 

Murrain, Miles 

Ellis, Samuel 

Ellis, Samuel, 2"'i ; 

Ellis, Hester 

ElUs, Sibel 

Murdock, William 

Pritchard, Nathaniel .. ., 

Whiting, Joh:> ; 

Murren, Mary , 

Clarke, Rebecca J 

Clarke, Amos , 

Piatt, Hannah , 

Clarke, Samuel 

Smith, Isaac 

Piatt, Joseph •. 

Davtnson, William 

Nott, William 

Jellet, Benj amln 

Strong, John .'. 

Trant, Philo I 

Bryan, Oliver j 

Pond, Elizabeth J 

Camp, Joab 

Woodruk, Barnabas... J 

Bandford, John j 

Sandford, Elisha J 

Wolcott, John 

Sandford, Mother .J 

Treat, Joseph, 2°'' \ 

Hine, Aron ., 

Pardie, Joseph I 

Clement, Isaac 

Treat, Robert ^ 

Marchant, Ezra w 

Gibbs John J 

Smith, Joseph { 

Camp, Samuel ; 

Camp, HaU i 

Peck, John ' 

Covert, Elerick 

Tline, Titus 

Congo (Negroe) 

Pomp (Negroe) 

Law, Benedick 

Lambert, Jesse. . ._..,.>. 

Peck, Samud 

Peck, Stephen ( 

Gunn, Stephen. ; 

Baldwin, Amos -« 

Baldwin, Edward 

Peck, Michael .', 

Smith, Jeremiah ._. . . .^ .; 

Fowler, Timothy 

Fowler,_ WUliam . . . ,, ,^j 

Morris, Newton 

Bradley, Jerad ^ 

Stevens, Thomas , 

Lambert, David.. '. 

Trussell, Elizabeth 

Ben (Negroe). 

Buckingham, Isaac I 

Pardy, Josiah 

Woodrufl, Mather 

Prindle, Josep 

Lambeth, David, 2"'' . . . 

Sacket. Jonathan 

Donnalds, Samuel, 2"<». . 

Isbel, Sarah 

Law, Jonathan 

Ovet. Hannah 



HISTORICAL SKETCHES 45 



NAMES OF RESIDENTS OF THE TOWN OF MILFORD WHO 
SERVED IN THE CIVIL WAR 1861-65* 

Abbott, Oramel G., Lieut. ; Andrews, Gilead T. ; Amesbury, Marvin 
H., Sergt. 

Baker, Edward E. ; Baldwin, Edwin B. ; Baldwin, Dennis E. ; Bald- 
win, Dewitt; Baldwin, Elliott H. ; Baldwin, Charles W. ; Baldwin, 
John H. ; Baldwin, Roger S. ; Baldwin, Chauncey; Beach, Dennis, ist 
Lieut. ; Beach, Fuller W. ; Beach, George Marvin, 2d Lieut. ; Beach, 
Oscar C. ; Beach, Elliott H. ; Beach, Calvin; Beard, Wm. Addison; 
Bristol, Lewis D. ; Baird, Jas. W. ; Baird, George U., Brig. Gen'l ; 
Beers, Ira S., Capt. ; Beecher, Henry M. ; Beecher, R. Frank ; Bassett, 
Mark ; Bartlett, Chas. H. ; Benham, Geo. W. ; Benham, Chas. H. ; 
Bristol, William T. ; Bristol, William M.; Bristol, Julius A., Sergt.; 
Benjamin, David W. ; Benjamin, J. M. ; Batchelor, Henry E. ; Bishop, 
Willett M.; Broadwell, Commodore M., ist Sergt.; Burns, Benjamin 
Walter S. ; Buckingham, John W., Lieut. ; Buckingham, George F. ; 
Burrleigh, Edward W., Armorer; Brown, James P.; Bristol, Edwin; 
Buchanan, J. J.; Batsford, Chas. H. K. ; Burnett, Thomas; Bronson, 
Wm. L. ; Burwell, Arnold; Booth, Joseph W. ; Burns, Geo. Nelson; 
Bristol, Lewis B. ; Billings, Peter, Musician ; Brill, William F. 

Canfield, Smith ; Coy, Geo. W. ; Collins, George C. M. ; Cairoli, J. S. ; 
Chase, Wallace; Cornwall, Frederic; Cornwall, Chas. E. ; Curtiss, Chas. 
E. ; Clark, Arthur E. ; Clark, Arthur W. ; Clark, Augustus; Clark, 
Almon E. ; Clark, Albertus N. ; Clark, Everitt B. ; Clark, John G. ; 
Clark, Joseph R. ; Clark, Marshall A. ; Clark, Nathan ; Clark, Theodore 
M. ; Clark, Edwin W. ; Clark, Samuel ; Coleman, William ; Colter, 
Charles; Christian, Carle; Clark, Samuel B. ; Clark, Sydney E., Major; 
Dahl, John W. ; De Gauno, John L. ; Dickinson, Sylvanus, Lieut. ; 
Dodge, Jeremiah R. ; Dowd, Martin V. ; Downs, Henry A. ; Dayton, 
George H. 

Ells, William, Major; Eaton, Shepard F. ; Edwards, Harmon T. ; 
Elkins, George. 

Ford, Charles W. ; Ford, James E. ; Fenn, William S. ; Ferris, James 
L., Yeoman; Foster, Francis A.; Fowler, Joseph; Fowler, William; 
French, Smith B. ; French, Burr H. 

Gabriel, Joseph Peter ; Gabriel, Theodore ; Gavin, Patrick J., Corp. ; 
Gammel, William F. ; Glenney, Samuel C. ; Glenney, George H. ; 
Glenney, Stephen W. ; Graham, John L., Sergt. ; Graham, Wallace W. ; 
Graham, W. L. ; Gage, Robert B., 1st Sergt.; Gabriel, John; Gall, John; 
Gauche (or Dauche). 

Haley, Thomas; Harris, W. H., Sergt.; Harris, Theodore; Hawley, 
Wm. H. ; Hill, Daniel ; Hine, Abner ; Hine, Aaron ; Hine, George W. ; 
Hine, James R. ; Hine, Lewis ; Hopper, Charles, Corp. ; Hooghkirk, Wil- 

* Compiled fom records furnished by Nathan Stow, a civil war 
veteran and a descendant of Stephen Stow the Revolutionary Patriot. 



46 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 

Ham; Hyde, Samuel D. ; Hitchcock, Shirland; Horigan, Patrick; 
Harris, William; Hephim, Richard. Acting Ensign; Higby, George O. 

Jackson, Charles S. ; Jackson, Homer; Johnson, Guernsey; Jackson, 
Gilbert. 

Keeshan, Dennis ; Keifer, Daniel J. 

Larrabee, Edwin H. ; London, Charles, ist Sergt. ; London, Horace. 

Manville, George W. ; Marshall, Henry G., Lieut. Capt. ; Marks, Hobart ; 
Marks, Treat A. ; Merwin, Chas. W. ; Merwin, John H. ; Michel, Carl 
(Chas. Michel); Morris, Charles J.; Murphy, Lawrence; McBride, 
Wm. T. ; McCarthy, James; MaGuinness, James. 

Nolan, Andrew; Nettleton, Elliott W. ; Nettleton, Harvey S. ; Nettle- 
ton, Henry; Nettleton, Lewis J.; Nettleton, Samuel A.; Northrup, 
W. A. 

Overton, Edward W. ; Oviatt, Edward L. ; Oviatt, Erasmus ; Oviatt, 
John M. ; Oviatt, Willis L., Lieut. 

Peck, George T., Corp.; Peck, Chester D. ; Peck, Ira Abbott; Peck, 
Ralph, Acting Ensign; Peck, William H. ; Peet, Lauren; Pike, George 
W. ; Peabody, Joseph N., Acting Ensign ; Plumb, Albert ; Plumb, 
Edwin W.; Plumb, Wm. Elliott; Plumb, Sydney H. ; Piatt, Albert C; 
Porter, Albert A. ; Pope, Julius J. ; Prince, Alvin C. ; Prince, George 
W.; Peck, F. Henry. 

Rallis, Dwight ; Rogers, George E. ; Roberts, Frank H. ; Ricks, 
William, Sergt. 

Sanford, Chas. H., Capt.; Sanford, Chas. W. ; Sanford, John F., 
Lieut.; Scott, William O. ; Scofield, John E; Scranton, Alonzo; Shine, 
John; Sherman, Henry; Spencer, Rufus; Slade, Frederic C. ; Somers, 
Joseph ; Somers, Dwight ; Somers, Levi ; Smith, Andrew ; Smith, 
Caleb ; Smith, Elliott W. ; Smith, Brainerd, Capt. ; Smith, Henry 
Herbert, Corp. ; Smith, Henry E. ; Smith, James, Lieut. ; Smith, Joel ; 
Smith, Miles; Smith, Hezikiah. P.; Smith, Sam'l B. ; Sullivan, James; 
Stowe, Edgar P. ; Stowe, Luke ; Stowe, Nathan ; Stowe, Nelson L. ; 
Stowe, Sydney ; Sonnewald, August E. 

Taft, Lowell ; Tibbals, George W. ; Tibbals, James S. ; Tibbals, Albert 
C. ; Tinkham, L. Enos ; Treat, Noyes ; Tucker, Henry A. ; Trowers, 
Wm. ; Tuthill, Thomas C. ; Trowbridge, Wm. D. ; Tinkham, W. H. ; 
Totten, Charles A. ; Treat, Thelus C. 

Van Horn, Edgar ; Van Horn, George. 

Warburton, Samuel; Welch, Lewis M.; Williams, Thomas; Wilson, 
Joseph ; Wilson, William L. ; Wilcox, John W. ; Whitcomb, Russell ; 
Woodbury, Joseph S. ; Woodruff, Stiles; Woods, Francis Victor; 
Williston, Josiah F. ; Word, Thomas J. 

Yale, Merrit A.; Yale, Ed. 




THK IIICHV HOL'SE 



The story uf .larmi lUtrr's liiicoiiiilcr ti'//// the Pcacoit 

One of the most conspicuous and interesting old liouses in the town is 
the Higby House near the Second Congregational Church, it is a typical 
old New England house and was built by Samuel Higby in 1787. at the 
close of the Revolutionary War ; he had served in Col. Wolcott's regi- 
ment. Higby was a deacon of what was then called the Second Church 
and a tithing man. This story is told and verified by Mr. William Higby, 
now living: — "On Sunday the tithing man was accustomed to take his 
position in the belfry of the church where he could watch the post road 
to enforce the law in reference to Sunday traveling. One Sunday morning 
a carriage with postillions and out-riders came at a rapid pace down the 
road. Higl)y went out and stopped them. The occupant was Aaron Burr, 
\'ice President of the United States, wIki insisted that it was necessary 
that he should be in Philadelphia at a certain time. Higby informed 
him that "If the work of a man was of more consequence than the work 
of God, that was one thing; but he did not think so" and therefore "sent 
him to the tavern to put up until sundown." This tavern, it is said, was 
located somewhere near the First Church. 



"A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY" 

A Thanksgiving Sermon* Preached at the First 

Church, Milford, November 25, 1858, by 

Jonathan Brace, D.D., Pastor of 

THE Church 

Psalm cxliii : 5. — I remember the days of old. 

The Poet Young tells us " 'Tis greatly wise to talk with 
our past hours ;" and David thought that it was well to call 
to mind former days. "I remember," he says, "the days 
of old." 

The future is mostly concealed from us. We cannot lift 
the curtain which hides it from our sight. Not so with the 
past. To that we can go back, and find in the review enter- 
tainment and profit. 

The advantages of the study of history are many and 
various. It invigorates and enriches the mind ; it improves 
the memory; it gratifies a natural and worthy desire to be 
acquainted with remote transactions; it enables us to avail 
ourselves of the experience of our predecessors; it informs 
and regulates our judgment; and it "is profitable for reproof, 
for correction," and for strengthening the sentiments of 
virtue. Indeed, a knowledge of history is not only indispen- 
sable to the man of letters, but should be sought by every 
person who would not be often confounded, and mortified 
because of his ignorance. 

More than half of that Book of Books — the Holy Bible, 
consists of history, and a familiarity with it is necessary to 
enable us fully to understand another considerable portion 
of this precious volume which is denominated prophetic. 

The earliest records of humanity are found in the sacred 
Scriptures, and for this reason, if for no other, they have 
the first claim on our diligent study. Next to this inspired 

* Reprint from a copy loaned by Deacon George F. Piatt. 



4^ A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

history, our own town, commonwealth, and country should 
receive our notice : for important as is an acquaintance with 
Persian, Grecian, Roman, and European history, a thorough 
knowledge of American history is to us more valuable. 

Six years ago, on an occasion like the present, I gave a 
brief account — which was subsequently printed by your 
request, of the First Church in Milford. It was appropriate 
to commence here, for this Church was coeval with the New 
Haven colony, and may properly be regarded as the parent 
of the civil state. I now propose to group together concern- 
ing it, and the Town we inhabit, such other particulars not 
then mentioned, as can be brought within the limits of a single 
discourse, and which may be considered most deserving of 
our remembrance. 

Standing, after the lapse of nearly two hundred and twenty 
years, on the spot selected by the first settlers as their' abode, 
what a contrast between the condition of things here then, 
and this condition now ! The same stream indeed is here, 
pursuing its shining way to Long Island Sound, which rolled 
then; and the Sound, now, as then, mirrors the heavens in 
its placid bosom, or breaks its foam-capped waves upon the 
beach; — but all else how changed! The dark tangled forests 
have gone; the wild beasts which prowled there for prey are 
gone likewise; the Indians with their canoes, wigwams, 
council-fires and terrific war-whoop have also disappeared; 
and in their place we have fertile fields, smiling gardens, taste- 
ful commodious dwellings, a civilized community, and temples 
of the living God. Could the primitive inhabitants of our 
village, "burst their cerements," come out of their sepulchres, 
and look upon us today, they would think that we lived on 
another planet from that which they once resided ; and would 
be quite sure of the fact, when learning that along the electric 
wire which stretches through the village, messages are flashed 
with the rapidity of thought; or when they saw the iron 
horse advancing, breathing from his nostrils, smoke and 
flame, and heard the long panting trains of cars thundering 
on with their living freight ! But the locality is the same. 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 49 

Time, culture, and science, alone, have wrought the trans- 
formation. 

The earliest settlements in Connecticut were formed by 
people from Massachusetts. These settlements were Wind- 
sor,* Hartford and Wethersfield. After the lapse of two or 
three years from the time these settlements were made, the 
sea-coast from Saybrook to Fairfield became known, and a 
plantation, as it was called, was commenced at Milford. This 
was in 1639. For the value received from the possession of 
"six coats, ten blankets, one kettle, twelve hatchets, twelve 
hoes, two dozen knives, and a dozen small glasses," a tract 
of land was obtained of the Indians, who confirmed the bar- 
gain with much parade. Subsequently, this original tract was 
enlarged by other purchases, until the limits reached north 
even as far as to what is now Waterbury. The territory has 
since been ceded, section after section, to aid in forming the 
towns of Waterbury, Derby, Woodbridge, and Orange, until 
it is reduced to its present dimensions, — the figure of which 
is triangular. The name given to the place by the Indians 
was Wepawaug; and a majority of the planters were from 
the English counties of York and Essex. We do gross 
injustice to these worthies if we say that they crossed the wild 
Atlantic, and came to these inhospitable shores, tenanted only 
by the savage and his game, merely to better their temporal 
fortunes. 

A few months after the arrival of Winthrop's company at 
Plymouth, Governor Dudle}'- wrote home to the Countess of 
Lincoln. In that letter he says: 'Tf any godly men, out of 
religious ends, will come over to help us in the good work we 
are about, I think they cannot dispose of themselves nor of 
their estates more to God's glory, and the furtherance of their 
own reckoning. For others, I conceive they are not 5^et fitted 
for this business." Our Fathers were of this sterling Christian 

* The most ancient orthodox Congregational Church in New England 
is in Windsor of this State. It was formed in the beginning of 1630, in 
Plymouth, England. The members came to Dorchester, Mass.; and in 
1636, a majority of them began the settlement of Windsor. 



50 A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

stamp. They were "godly men." A higher motive than 
sordid gain moved them to emigrate; a nobler object had 
their ambition. They left the land of their birth for conscience 
sake, and for the sake of Christ, — that they might have "free- 
dom to worship God," according to their ideas of what was 
scriptural, and most edifying, and to extend the boundaries of 
the Redeemer's kingdom. They brought with them the blessed 
Bible, a cordial attachment to it, and to the Sabbath, and 
Christian ordinances, a firm regard for law and order, and a 
love for virtue; and their first Pastor, — the Rev. Peter Prud- 
den, was a native of Edgerton, Yorkshire. He, and they, 
looked to God, for wisdom to project, vigor to execute, and 
fortitude to endure; sought His favor as the only source of 
well-being and well-doing, acknowledged their success or fail- 
ure in things ecclesiastical and civil to be suspended on His 
will alone ; did what they did, according to the pattern revealed 
to them by intimate communion with Him in prayer, and 
through the medium of His word, and had faith in His gra- 
cious, powerful Providence; for upon their banner was 
inscribed that sentence indicative of Puritan trust and piety, 
"He who transplants us, sustains us." 

The First Church in Milford was organized before the settle- 
ment of the town, for it was organized in New Haven; and 
"the seven pillars" upon which humanly speaking it rested, 
they standing upon the only sure foundation, "the Rock of 
Christ Jesus." were the individuals who, specially delegated 
for that purpose, followed the devious Indian foot-path 
through the wilderness, arrived hither, established themselves 
in this locality, and fashioned in connection with kindred 
minds their civil polity. The Church, therefore, underlay 
the government of the town — the civil system, framed it by 
its counsels, sustained it by its influence, and infused into it 
some portion of its devotional spirit. 

In those times it was deemed expedient for a religious 
society to have a Teacher, as well as a Pastor. With the 
Rev. Mr. Prudden therefore, was associated in this capacity, 
by election. Rev. John Sherman. As comparatively little 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 5 1 

notice has been taken of him in the ''Church Manual," it is fit, 
in passing, to bestow upon him a few paragraphs. 

The prescribed curriculum of study at Cambridge Uni- 
versity, England, he regularly pursued, and would have 
received the degree of A.B. in course, but for conscientious 
scruples relative to acceding to the terms of graduation. He 
formed one band of emigrants who reached America in 1634, 
and settled in Watertown, Mass. Coming from thence with 
others to Milford, he was called to be Teacher of the church 
here. This call he declined; and after remaining for a 
season in this vicinity, preaching as opportunity offered, "going 
about doing good," and serving the public as a member of 
the General Court for the jurisdiction, he returned to Water- 
town, and declining an invitation from a church in Boston, 
and two churches in London, became pastor of the church in 
the place where he had preached his first sermon. As a speaker 
his elocution was remarkably fine, and he had many of the 
graces of oratory. He was also fond of mathematics, and 
astronomy, and was a rare proficient in these branches of 
science. He supplied the astronomical calculations for the 
first Christian Almanac published in this country. His second 
wife was granddaughter of the earl of Rivers: Governor 
Hopkins was her appointed guardian; and she resided under 
the roof of Governor Eaton. 

The Psalmist says, "As arrows are in the hand of a mighty 
man, so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that 
hath his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but 
they shall speak with the enemies in the gate." H this is 
true, no ordinary measure of enjoyment must have been the 
portion of Mr. Sherman. Of such arrows his quiver was full ; 
so much so that if on a day like the present, when the lovely 
spectacle is exhibited of twenty-two entire States, at the call 
of their Chief Magistrates, assembling in the house of God; — 
a day when far scattered birds wing again their way to the 
cherished nests of childhood — when sons and daughters return 
from their dispersions to the dear old homestead, happy in 
the society of each other, and in that of their venerated parents, 



52 A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

his children were all living, and came back to receive the greet- 
ings of a father's and mother's love in Watertown, the number 
of "olive-plants round about the table" there would have 
been twenty-six. 

Of course his descendants are numerous. Not a few of 
those persons in the land, who bear the name of Sherman, 
are of the same lineage with him. Such was the case with 
the noted Roger Sherman, once apprenticed to a shoemaker, 
who came to this town carrying his tools on his back; and 
was a member of the first Congress in 1774; continued a 
member nineteen years; signed the Declaration of Independ- 
ence in 1776; — was designated by Jefferson, as "a man who 
never said a foolish thing in his life," and when John Ran- 
dolph of Virginia in whose veins was Indian blood, cried out, 
in his shrill piping voice for the purpose of insulting him, that 
he "should like to know what the gentleman from Connecticut, 
when he left the cobbler's bench for that Hall, did with his 
leather apron;" received for answer: — "Sir, I cut it up to 
make moccasins for the descendants of Pocahontas!" 

Before the death of Rev. John Sherman, which occurred 
in 1685, — he being then in the seventy-second year of his age, 
there was a man in the commonwealth prominent for his 
victories over the savage tribes in Springfield, and Hadley, 
Mass., distinguished for turning the tide of success at a 
critical moment in that Battle of "Bloody Brook," when the 
"Flower of Essex bit the dust," as also for his intellectual 
gifts, weight of influence, and official position. It was Gov- 
ernor Robert Treat. When Sir Edmond Andross, knight, 
and captain-general, and Governor-general over New England, 
came, supported by his suite, and more than sixty of the King's 
troops, to Hartford, during the session of the Assembly, and 
demanded the charter granted by Charles the Second to the 
Connecticut colony; — the man who valiantly and ably advo- 
cated the resolution not to give up the patent, and privileges 
obtained at so much cost, and of such value; and the man 
who was privy to extinguishing the lights, the carrying off of 
that royal instrument of liberty and secreting it in the large 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 53 

hollow oak, was this Governor Robert Treat ; — a member 
of the Milford Church, and who married a daughter of one 
of the "seven pillars," on which this church laid its founda- 
tion work, and was one of the three appointed by the church 
to impose hands on the second pastor of this church — Rev. 
Roger Newton, on the occasion of his installation, August 22, 
1660. 

A word or two in this connection, additional to what has 
been printed, in relation to the fifth pastor of the church, Rev. 
Samuel Wales, D.D. 

He graduated in 1667, in the class with Gov. John Tread- 
well, and the not less celebrated Dr. Nathaniel Emmons. He 
was elected to the Professorship of Divinity in Yale College 
in 1 78 1. The honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity he 
received from two colleges; — from Yale College, his Alma 
Mater in 1782, after he was appointed Professor, and from 
the College of New Jersey in 1784. His figure was short and 
stout, his voice was heavy, and flexible, was under good man- 
agement, and his sermons glowed with divine truth earnestly 
expressed. After being engaged several years in the duties 
of his professorship, this star of superior brightness and 
influence in the orb of the Church, was mysteriously wrapped 
in clouds. He was deprived of his reason, and the College 
of his valuable services. He died at the age of forty-six, leav- 
ing behind him the character of a man of superior talents, an 
accomplished scholar, and an eminent divine. The discourse 
at his funeral was by President Stiles. The text was i Samuel 
25: I. "And Samuel died: and all the Israelites were gath- 
ered together, and lamented him, and buried him in his house 
at Ramah." This text was announced in the original Hebrew, 
and the discourse was in Latin. 

Dr. Wales has a son living, who was a classmate of my 
father; and has been senator of the United States from 
Delaware. 

Among the things by which this Church has been char- 
acterized, are a disposition to be at peace among themselves, 
and to treat with due consideration and respect their Pastors. 



54 A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

This declaration is confirmed by the fact that since the organ- 
ization of the Church in 1639, it has had but nine Pastors. 
This makes the average term of service of each Pastor but a 
little less than a quarter of a century ; — which manifestly could 
not have been the case, had they been a quarrelsome people. 
None of these Pastors were driven away. Five were "not 
allowed to continue by reason of death," and their ashes 
sleep by the side of the flock they tended, in sure expectation 
with them of a joyful resurrection. Of the remaining four, 
one left on account of his health ; two were called away to 
what they deemed more important fields of service, and the 
other having occupied the pulpit during the lapse of thirteen 
years, mingles his congratulations with his people on this day 
of Thanksgiving and Praise. May they continue to heed the 
counsel sent to them from the dying lips of one of these men 
of God: — "Brethren, live in peace, and the God of love and 
of peace shall be with you :'' for it is not only "good for 
Christians to dwell together in unity," but likewise "pleas- 
ant." "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren 
to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment 
upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even in Aaron's 
beard ; that went down to the skirts of his garments. As the 
dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the 
mountains of Zion : for there the Lord commanded the bless- 
ing, even life for evermore." 

Leaving now the Church for the Town, some further 
items may be noted. 

The first settlers seem to have duly appreciated the value 
of Education. In importance they placed it next to the 
Christian religion. With growth in grace, they associated 
growth in knowledge. Hence, near the "Meeting-house"* was 

* The model of the worship of the Christian Church was obtained from 
the Jewish Synagogue. The ancient Puritanical word "Meeting-house" is 
a nearly literal translation of the word Synagogue into Saxon English. 
And Primitive Congregationalists preferred the word "Meeting-house" to 
the word "Church," not, as is said, because of their excessive antipathy 
to Episcopacy, but because by King James' translators the word Church 
was used to denote the assembly of Christian people, whether general or 
particular. 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 55 

erected the school-house, and while liberal provision was made 
for the preaching of the gospel, ample provision was likewise 
made for the instruction of the young. Not only were there 
primary schools, but as early as 1655, sixteen years after the 
settlement of the town, was there established in "the wilder- 
ness and solitary place," a Latin school. Records show that 
the inhabitants spared no pains to discipline and furnish the 
minds of their children, by engaging teachers of scientific 
acquirements, and generously remunerating them for their 
labors. " Yale College is as much indebted to Rev. Samuel 
Andrew of this town, as to any other person, excepting the 
individual after whom it was named — Elihu Yale, Esq., of 
New Haven. Mr. Andrew was one of the first projectors of 
the College, — was the most influential of the ten who obtained 
a charter for the same from the Legislature, — was one of 
the original trustees of the Institution, — continued to hold 
this trust thirty-eight years, — had for a number of years the 
tuition of the senior class who resided in the town, and was 
for a time the College Rector. If, as a community, we are 
now behind some portions of the state in our zeal for learn- 
ing, if our views on this subject are not as enlarged, and our 
efforts as well directed and earnest as they ought to be, it is 
not because of the example of our fathers, but because we 
have another spirit from that which they manifested. 

The first colonists of Milford, also, were not deficient as 
friends of popular rights and as patriots. The Protectorate 
of Oliver Cromwell in England was succeeded by the restora- 
tion of monarchy, and Charles II. was placed upon the throne. 
Soon after he was seated there, several of the Judges by 
whose sentence the head of his father, Charles I, had been 
brought to the block, were condemned and executed. Three 
others, Whalley, Goffe and Dixwell, usually denominated the 
regicides, came to New England. On their arrival at Boston 
they were welcomed, and at Cambridge, a neighboring town, 
they lived for several months unmolested and respected. It 
however becoming apparent, through intelligence from Par- 
liament, that longer continuance there would be unsafe, they 



56 A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

came to New Haven. Here they were sheltered in the house 
of Rev. Mr. Davenport; and when the agents of the khig- 
came to apprehend them, the people were moved to stand by 
them through the influence of a discourse pubHcly preached 
by Mr. Davenport from Isaiah i6: 3, 4. "Take counsel, exe- 
cute judgment, make thy shadow as the night in the midst of 
the noon-day; hide the outcasts, bewray not him that wan- 
dereth. Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou 
a covert to them from the face of the spoiler." A covert was 
found for them. It was a cave on the top of West Rock, and 
food was furnished them by a Mr. Robert Sperry who lived 
in the vicinity. From these rude quarters they subsequently 
repaired to another refuge called "The Lodge." As, how- 
ever, the king's agents were on the hunt for them,* and as 
the penalty of the law for harboring traitors was fearful, the 
question arose where next they could go, with the prospect 
of finding securit3^ The views and feelings of the people of 
Milford were well understood. It was well known that they 
had no sympathy with the despotic policy of Charles I, or 
respect for his bigoted, tyrannical adviser Laud, Archbishop 
of Canterbury; that they had a fellow feeling for those who, 
sufferers from the cruel edicts of the Star Chamber and High 
Commission Court, had risen upon and subdued their oppres- 
sors ; and that for the men who had the integrity and the 
courage to affix their signatures to the death-warrant of a 
king found guilty of treason against his nation, they had a 
high regard, — would make for their concealment "a shadow 
as the night in the midst of the noonday," and would not 
deliver them to their pursuers. Hence, on the 20th of August, 
1 66 1, Whalley and Goffe fled to Milford. And not in vain. 
They found friends here, and no informants against them, 
and continued here in the center of the town for several years. 
The locality of their concealment is still pointed out as a spot 
of interest, though the building in which they were hidden 
long since yielded to the ravages of time. It was thirty or 
forty rods from the place where we are now assembled, and 
the individual who owned the building and hid the Judges 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 57 

was Michael Tomkins. President Stiles says : "I have fre- 
quently been in this house of Tomkins. It was standing since 
1750, and perhaps to 1770. It was a building, say twenty 
feet square, and two stories; the lower room built with stone 
wall and considered as a store; the room over it with timber 
and wood, and used by Tomkins' family as a work or spinning 
room." He adds: "The family used to spin in the room 
above, ignorant of the Judges being below. Judge Bucking- 
ham tells me this story: 'While they sojourned at Milford, 
there came over from England a ludicrous cavalier ballad, 
satirizing Charles' Judges, and Goffe and Whalley among the 
rest. A spinstress at Milford had learned to sing it, and used 
sometimes to sing it in the chamber over the Judges ; and the 
Judges used to get Tomkins to set the girls to singing the 
song for their diversion, being humored and pleased with it, 
though at their own expense, as they were the subjects of 
the ridicule. The girls knew nothing of the matter, being 
ignorant of the innocent device, and little thought that they 
were serenading angels.' " 

Although girls, and boys, and gossips might not have been 
aware that the Judges were here, the fact was known to Gov. 
Treat and to Rev. Roger Newton, and to all to whom, well 
acquainted with their men, they chose to reveal the secret. In 
a grove back of the house the Judges would often walk when 
the shades of night prevailed, talk with their guardians of 
Dunbar and Cromwell, learn the drift of the latest dispatches 
from Parliament, and the latest intelligence from the profligate 
court of Charles II ; and this silence with reference to them, 
and support and protection of them, are creditable to all con- 
cerned, evincing as it does their fidelity, and resolution, and 
warm attachment to the sacred principles of liberty. 

In the great revolutionary struggle for Independence, this 
town furnished her "full quota of men and money." Two 
companies were raised here, under the command of Captains 
Pond and Peck, who were in several engagements, and whose 
officers were commended by Washington for their promptness 
and intrepidity; tories were scarce, and were obliged to keep 



58 A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

concealed, or meet the humiliating fate of McFingal. — a vote 
was passed Dec. 14, 1778,, that "no person or persons, what- 
ever, who have heretofore voluntarily gone over to join with, 
and screened themselves under the protection of the enemies 
of the United States of America, or who shall hereafter go 
over, join with, or screen themselves under said enemy, shall 
be suffered or allowed to reside or dwell in this town, on any 
pretense whatever;" and when on the ist of January, 1777, 
two hundred American soldiers in a needy, diseased, and 
perishing condition were cast here from a British cartel ship, 
they were hospitably received, their wants supplied, and, above 
forty-six of them, whom physicians and kind nursing could 
not save, but who died, and were laid in one common tomb, 
"ashes to ashes, dust to dust," tl>ere now rises a monument 
reared in part by the liberality of the people of the town, 
bearing the names of the unfortunate soldiers, and honorable 
mention of their heroic sacrifices for freedom and their 
country. 

The first Mill erected in New Haven colony was in this 
town ; and what is remarkable, it is still the property of an 
individual of the same name with the original builder; and 
never since its erection has it been owned by a person of any 
other name. 

Though a majority of the inhabitants of the town, since 
the settlement thereof, have been farmers, and though at 
present while we have factories of various kinds, there is here 
no foreign trade, or ship-building, there was a period when 
these industrial pursuits received a good share of attention. 
From a wharf near to the mill above mentioned, cattle were 
shipped to the West Indies; — an active commerce was carried 
on with them, and other distant points; — a sloop regularly 
plied between here and Boston; New Haven people depended 
upon Milford for some of their groceries; sloops, schooners, 
and even brigs of one hundred and fifty tons burden, (the 
exact tonnage of the IMayflower) were launched from our 
dock-yards ; and no small portion of commercial enterprise 
and wealth here flourished. 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 59 

From Milford, moreover, have gone out many, who have 
contributed to the settlement of other towns. It is a prohfic 
hive from which swarm after swarm have departed. Besides 
Newtown, Greenwich, New Milford, and Durham of this 
State, who are largely indebted to us in this particular; Wil- 
liamstown, Mass., Newark,* and Woodbridge, New Jersey; 
and Talmadge, Ohio, can trace their beginnings to our colo- 
nists, of whom they have no occasion to be ashamed, and are 
not ashamed, and who thus ''laid the foundations of many 
generations" — the foundations of their strength and glory. 

But it is time that I close this Leaf of Milford History; 
particularly as I have read from it so much which before may 
have been known to some of you. A few reflections then, 
from a review of the same, and I have done. 

The subject has carried us back to former generations. 
In remembering as we have, "the days of old," "the years 
of ancient times," we have remembered the departed. Once 
they were here, walked these streets, dwelt here, toiled here, 
had the interests of the church and the town in their charge, 
had their afflictions and their blessings, their joys, and their 
sorrows. They then knew nothing about us, for we were not 
in existence, and what we know of them, we learn from 
records less perishable than they were. The same azure that 
now bends over us, swelled over them. The same sun that 
lights us to-day, gladdened them with its beams. The same 
moon that now rides in the sky cast upon them her silver rays. 
The same stars that sparkle over our houses, sparkled over 
their log cabins. And the acres they subdued, some of the 
trees they planted, and the springs from which they slaked 
their thirst, still remain. Their days of Thanksgiving too, 
and their days of Fasting have descended to us. But they 
themselves have passed away. Their bodies sleep in yonder 
ancient graveyard, which is thick sown with the precious 
seed of the resurrection, and the moss has gathered on their 
head stones ! 

We remember those who though they have disappeared from 
human view, and "rest from their labors," are yet resident 

* Originally called Milford. 



6o A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

elsewhere. Though they have gone from earth, and "the places 
which once knew them, know them no more," they are not 
annihilated, nor in a state of dreamy unconsciousness, but are 
sentient and active in some part of the universe of God. 

We remember those who. while they lived here, were pro- 
bationers for eternity, and now have assigned them a place 
and state, and possess a character, the exact resultant of their 
views, feelings, and conduct then. The character imprinted 
in time, is stereotyped in eternity. If they were righteous 
then, they are righteous now, — if then they embraced and 
served Christ, they are now "with Him where He is, behold- 
ing His glory;" and if any unjustifiably and foolishly rejected 
Him, and otherwise abused their probation, they now suffer 
the consequences of such abuse. 

One of the most memorable paintings by eminent artists 
is that of "The Head of Medusa held up by Perseus." The 
head is represented as changing into stone every individual 
who beholds it. A warrior stands looking at it, and he with 
the javelin in his hand are petrified. An assassin is there with 
a dagger half hidden under his garment, and he too with his 
weapon are frozen into stone. Another and another person 
are portrayed as looking, and each one — just as he is when he 
catches sight of the head — is stiffened into stone. 

There is a moral in this famous picture. That head 
stands for Death. As we are when we meet death, so as moral 
creatures shall we always be. Death, though it lodges the body 
in the grave and makes it the food of worms, works no 
essential change in the soul, any more than the opening of the 
door of a cage where a bird is confined, alters the nature or 
the color of the bird. The bird is the same bird while upon 
the wing as while a prisoner, and the soul is the same soul 
dismissed from its tabernacle, as when restrained in it. 
Death stamps upon us an unchangeable, ineffaceable impress. 
As it finds us, so will the judgment find us, and the ever- 
during cycles of eternity. 

We remember those whose influence lives after them, and 
by whose sayings and doings we are now affected. The influ- 



A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 6 1 

ence of brave and enterprising minds does not expire with the 
physical forms in which they acted. In some cases the agencies 
which they set in motion are more potent after these forms 
have crumbled into dust, than when they were animated with 
life. The spirit of Napoleon the Great still rules France. The 
Order of Loyola is yet vigorous from the energy which he 
infused into it. The persistent sympathy, and fervent elo- 
quence of Wilberforce, still prompt to manly battling with 
individual and national wrong; and the name of many a 
controlling pioneer and leader is an incentive and spur to 
gallant actions. Indeed, "Thou canst not live for thyself 
alone," is written upon every human being. All persons have 
an influence, and this influence dies not with them. It moves 
on over the grave, and reaches posterity. A very different 
community should we have been from what we now are, if 
the first colonists, and their successors, had been addicted to 
idleness, vulgarity, and intemperance ; or had not prized the 
Bible, scrupulously observed the Sabbath, been devout wor- 
shippers of God in His temple, maintained family prayer, and 
furthered the interests of education. Our churches, our 
schools, our civil and social condition, our respect for law and 
order, our opposition to infidelity, profaneness. Sabbath break- 
ing, and rowdyism, are the fruit of their sound principles and 
virtues ; and shame to the individual who amidst the memorials 
of his worthy sires, and blest with the results of their excel- 
lences, is not a friend to industry, sobriety, purity, liberty, and 
godliness. 

Finally, we are reminded that ere the sun runs through many 
circles of the heavenly signs, we shall be numbered among 
the departed, and "though dead be yet speaking," and im- 
mortal be living elsewhere, and reaping the consequences of 
our present right, or wrong doing. 

Let us remember this, and think, feel and deport ourselves 
accordingly. If that glow of patriotic ardor is in our breasts 
which should be there, and which impelled the poet to wish, 

"That he for poor auld Scotland's sake, 
Some usefu' plan or book could make, 
Or sing a song at least;" 



62 A LEAF OF MILFORD HISTORY 

we shall be constrained while we enjoy, to guard also the 
heritage of blessings which have come into our possession, 
and to transmit them in their fullness and richness to those 
who shall come after us. And if we cherish as we should, the 
conviction that our everlasting future takes its unalterable 
complexion from the brief present, we shall endeavor "so to 
pass through things temporal, that we may not fail of things 
eternal." 

What we honor in our Fathers, that let us imitate; and 
those laudable courses of action which they pursued, and which 
have brought so much good to us, let us ourselves adopt, for 
the benefit of succeeding generations. Copying after the Old 
Puritans, we shall not make any very serious mistakes in sen- 
timent, or go far astray in conduct, and shall build up robust, 
magnanimous, heroic Christian characters. May their faith 
be followed, their principles and institutions be cherished, and 
their self-denying spirit and virtues be manifested by us, our 
descendants, and the sons of New England, 

"Till the waves of the bay where the Mayflower lay, 
Shall foam and freeze no more." 




<^, ^-a- FORTY SHILLIiNGS/>j:t# ^ 

.^npHE POSSESSOR of tW.ife 

^^ feTr^aforer ofthtf Colony ai CenneBi^^ 

1ft Bay ofZ)^- 

•7<f^jlt;— A. D. 
1779. -6-^t-^ 
By Or4cr of. 
Assembly,-— • 

HARTrORD,— 





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■M^tjifauVM ii>ir ;miii 




Continental Currkncv, Revolutionary Period 



Original iircsLTscd in an old family bilile of an ancestor of that period 
and now in the possession of the author. 



THE TOWN OF MILFORD 
DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION 

PRIZE ESSAY* 

By Mabel Whitman Mahoney 

read at the 
Graduating Exercises of the Milford High School 

June 17, 1913 

"My thoughts go up the long dim path of years, 
Back to the earliest days of Liberty." 

Milford, settled in the year 1639, had been steadily grow- 
ing until, in 1775, it presented a ver}'- prosperous appearance. 
The long, green common, the two libraries, the white Con- 
gregational meeting-houses and brown-stone Episcopal Church, 
the Town-House and the Academy were, many of them, sit- 
uated much the same as we see them to-day. The people 
lived simply and contentedly; the women doing the house- 
work and spinning, the men working on their farms or other- 
wise busying themselves. We are told that ship-building was 
a leading industry in Milford at this time, and also that many 
of the men followed the sea. The town meetings brought 
the men together in a social way, and the housewives gathered 
at the quilting bees and sewing circles to talk over the neigh- 
borhood gossip. Altogether, the town of Milford presented 
the peaceful appearance of a typical New England village of 
this period, but the war clouds were gathering. 

*The writer of this essay received a Bronze Medal of the National 
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution offered by the Connect- 
icut Society, for the encouragement in public schools of the study of 
local American History during the "struggle for liberty." 

Ten dollars in gold was also offered by George Hare Ford as a special 
prize for the best essay upon the subject of "Milford during the American 
Revolution." 

The following committee were chosen by the donor to select the best 
essay : — 

Hon. George M. Gunn, Rev. Peter McClean and Mr. Simeon J. Lake. 



64 MILFORD DURING THE REVOLUTION 

At the commencement of the Revolution, the inhabitants 
were unanimously opposed to the oppressive measures of the 
British. A very enthusiastic town meeting was held on the 
29th of November, 1774. The people at this meeting 
"resolved that they highly approved of and would strictly 
abide by the Delegates assembled in General Continental 
Congress," A committee of correspondence of seven persons 
was also appointed. At this meeting it was "unanimously 
resolved that a subscription should be forthwith opened for 
the relief and support of such poor inhabitants of Boston as 
were immediate sufferers by the Boston Port Bill and a 
committee of twelve persons was appointed to receive dona- 
tions and contributions for that purpose. These decisive 
measures show how intensely patriotic the early Milfordites 
were. 

At a town meeting held May i, 1775, it was "voted that 
the great guns be mounted," and the selectmen were appointed 
a committee to see that this was done. Also the selectmen 
were to provide powder and everything needful respecting the 
great guns at the expense of the town, and they were to pro- 
vide guns, bayonets, and provisions for such as were called 
forth for the defense of liberty, and were unable to provide 
for themselves. A minute post was established at the town's 
expense to be continued for one week under Capt. Isaac Miles, 
and the next week it was voted to continue this minute post 
for a longer period. John Fowler, Esq., and Ephraim Strong, 
Esq., were to "represent the town to the General Assembly 
and petition for liberty to have a company enlisted and com- 
missioned to be stationed in town for its defense, and at the 
expense of the Colony." It was also voted to allow some 
gratuity to those who had formed themselves into a company 
under the command of John Fowler, Jr., and had spent vol- 
untarily much time in acquainting themselves with the military 
art. 

Capt. Samuel Peck commanded the first Mil ford company 
raised for the general defense of the country. A little later, 
a company was raised under Captain Pond. These com- 



MILFORD DURING THE REVOLUTION 6$ 

panics were in several engagements and the officers were 
commended by Washington for their promptness and intre- 
pidity. The names of the soldiers are too numerous to 
mention, but we have sufficient records to show that they did 
their duty nobly and bravely. One of the men, Capt. Peter 
Perritt, was taken prisoner at Fort Washington; another 
story says that when Israel Putnam rode down the dangerous 
steps at Horse Neck to escape some British soldiers, three 
men rode with him — one of those being Jehiel Stow, one of 
the four sons of Stephen Stow. 

On Monday, Oct. 9, 1775, Maj. Ennion Williams passed 
through Milford on his journey to the American Camp at 
Cambridge. He says in his journal : "We passed through 
Stratford which is a pretty little town near the river Housa- 
tonack. We crossed the Ferry in a large boat built in the 
manner of our long boats. The Sound here is so wide 
that the view is bounded by water and sky. We arrived a 
little after sunset. At Milford, we see by candlelight the 
inside of a church, a frame building with two stories of gal- 
leries, is a large house. There is two other meeting-houses 
near as large, and are generally filled. The people are gen- 
erally ready to arm and march whenever ordered to support 
their liberty. Pursued our way and passed over Oyster River 
and through West Haven." 

Meanwhile, the people of Milford were preparing for the 
conflict. At a town meeting held Feb. 22, 1776, it was "voted 
that whereas at a time when our Sea Coasts are threatened 
with invasion by our enemies, a misuse of Powder may prove 
very prejudicial not only to the publick in general, but to the 
Town, therefore resolved that no persons or person whatever, 
shall by sporting or Fowling fire away any of that necessary 
article, within the limits of s. Town, upon Penalty of one 
pound lawful money for every offence." On March 27th, it 
was voted to accept the grant of the assembly with regard 
to fortifying the harbor, and a committee was appointed to 
agree upon a place suitable to erect fortifications upon. Later 
it was decided to place the battery on West Point, and the 
money for the fortification was raised by a tax. 



66 MILFORD DURING THE REVOLUTION 

For further protection, companies of soldiers were stationed 
at Biirwell's Farm and Poconoc Point. The battery at West 
Point or Fort Trumbull was situated about where the summer 
home of Colonel Falls now stands. Many a night the people 
were awakened by the clanging of the bell of the fort, to call 
the men of the village to arms, for a ship had been sighted 
which might prove to be one of the enemies', making ready 
for an attack. 

On December 31, 1776, shortly before night, there appeared 
off the harbor of Milford a British vessel carrying at her 
fore-top a flag of truce. Darkness increasing, she was not 
again seen. Near the beach was the home of Capt. Isaac Miles, 
an earnest patriot, who with his sons, sitting before his fire, 
heard unusual noises. Opening his door, he found the yard 
filled with wild, forlorn looking creatures in a most deplorable 
condition, suffering for want of food and clothing. On that 
bitter winter night they had been turned ashore and left to 
shift for themselves. The sympathies of the Miles family 
and neighbors sheltered these two-hundred released American 
prisoners for the night. In a day or two they were removed 
to the town-hall, which was prepared for them. In this build- 
ing, which is still standing, the work of Death at once com- 
menced among the unfortunate men, who stricken with fever, 
were so reduced in strength that they easily fell victims to its 
virulence. Here it was that the heroic work of Stephen Stow 
was done. Day and night, his sole occupation was to minister 
to the sick and dying, and to take increasing, constant care 
of these men, until, becoming physically exhausted, he con- 
tracted the fever and died. His work of kindness and self- 
sacrifice has justly given him the name of Milford's Martyr. 

These soldiers, forty-six in number, were buried in a com- 
mon grave near the south corner of the graveyard. In 1852, 
a monument was erected in their memory, "by the joint liber- 
ality of the General Assembly, the people of Milford, and 
other contributing friends." The names of the soldiers are 
inscribed on the monument, and because of the devotion of 
Stephen Stow to his country and to humanity, "the Legisla- 



MILFORD DURING THE REVOLUTION 6/ 

ture of Connecticut resolved that his name should be inscribed 
on this monument." 

So the year 1777 brought in sickness and death. The people 
of Milford were having their share of the miseries of the 
war, although no real fighting had taken place in their locality. 
The town meetings chronicle the events in an interesting 
manner. We find that on February 17th, it was voted that 
the selectmen be a committee to provide for the soldiers' 
families. It was also agreed that the town would give ten 
pounds a head for all those who would enlist for three years 
or for the war. The number required of the town that year, 
by the governor's proclamation, was seventy-two. 

On the east side of the Wepawaug stands a substantial 
house painted red. In the time of the Revolution it was owned 
by Captain Bryan who had been commissioned a first lieu- 
tenant in the army, had served in the battle of White Plains 
and other engagements with the enemy, and who was now on 
patrol duty in the town. Captain Bryan and Orlando Beach 
were in charge of the coast to watch for tory raids from 
Long Island. A British officer on Long Island thought it 
would be a fine thing to capture Captain Bryan and carry him 
off to the British ships which lay off the coast. Captain Bryan 
was prepared for the attack, however, and gave the ofiicer 
an uncomfortable reception. Without waiting to capture the 
brave Captain, the officer turned and fled with his men, drop- 
ping his sword in his hurry. Captain Bryan kept the sword, 
and it is now in the possession of Mrs. B. D. Merriman, one 
of his descendants. 

In September, the selectmen were appointed a committee to 
provide clothing for the Continental Soldiers. In December, 
it was voted to provide for the soldiers' families, and to 
recompense the soldiers who had enlisted previous to the town 
vote, giving ten pounds for an encouragement. 

During those stirring times all was not confusion and war- 
fare. Tradition has it that Mistress Freelove Stow, widow 
of Stephen Stow, had a chest of tea in her cellar. Tea, being 
a very scarce beverage at this time, was treasured highly by 



68 MILFORD DURING THE REVOLUTION 

those who were fortunate enough to possess it and Mistress 
Stow decided to share her good fortune with the other good 
housewives of the village. Once a week, at unseasonable 
hours, the housewives might be seen stealing into Mistress 
Stow's cellar, where they indulged in a cup of good old English 
tea. 

In January, 1778, "the articles of confederation of the United 
States, sent by the governor, being read, it was voted by the 
town that they fully approved of said articles." On the 14th of 
December, it was voted "that no person or persons whatever 
who have heretofore voluntarily gone over to join with, and 
screened themselves under the protection of the enemies of 
the United States of America, or who shall hereafter go over, 
join with, or screen themselves under said enemy, shall be 
suffered or allowed to reside or dwell in this town, on any 
pretense whatever." Tories were compelled to keep close to 
their houses. There is a tradition that a certain Milford 
brook received its name at this time from the people who 
lived near it, and has ever afterward been called "Tory 
Brook." 

In 1779, the British burned Fairfield. At this time much 
uneasiness was felt among the people, for the whole western 
sky glowed a brilliant red for a number of nights, reminding 
our own villagers that at any hour such a fate might be theirs. 
Many of the people, especially the women and children, left 
the town, seeking refuge with relatives or friends away from 
the coast. 

Indeed, Milford might have met the same fate as Fairfield. 
In a letter written by Sir Henry Clinton to Major-General 
Tyron, July 2, 1779, these directions are given: "Once in 
possession of the Black Rock Battery near Bridgeport, at the 
head of the harbor, all becomes easy and you can always retire 
by Fair Weather Island, which has deep water on the south 
side, but not above six-foot within. You may likewise land 
at Stratford Point, drive the cattle of that district and embark 
them from thence at your leisure from Charles Island, Milford. 
You may do the same with those you find at Milford." 



MILFORD DURING THE REVOLUTION 69 

But the Mil ford cattle would not have been very easily 
found. At Pond Point, there was a meadow sheltered by 
rising ground and overhanging trees. This place, Calf-Pen 
meadow, was the resort of Milford cattle. The cattle were 
driven here, a strong guard placed over the meadow, and 
safety assured. 

In 1779, twenty transport ships lay off against the town 
for a number of days, occasioning constant alarm, for the 
people , hourly expected an attack. But only a few soldiers 
landed at Pond Point. A serving maid, seeing the red-coats 
coming in a small boat, gave the alarm. Consternation 
reigned, for the men were away. But a plucky young woman, 
a Mistress Merwin, seized her copper kettle and rolling pin, 
took her baby, and drove with great haste to Milford center. 
As soon as she reached the first house she gave the alarm by 
beating upon the kettle with the rolling pin. So all through 
the principal streets she rode, giving her unique alarm. By 
the time relief could be summoned, the few British soldiers 
had left. One house was plundered, that of Mr. Miles 
Merwin. 

In July, 1780, more money was offered by the town to those 
who would enlist. War taxes were levied, "payable in money 
or provisions, to be put up for the use of the state." In Octo- 
ber, 1 78 1, Cornwallis surrendered, and the war was ended. 

In all accounts we find these eloquent words : "Milford 
furnished her full quota of men and money." There were no 
attacks made, no battles fought here. All her patriots received 
their wounds on the battle fields, yet the men who stayed at 
home to guard the town were just as patriotic and served their 
country just as truly as did those who won distinction under 
great generals. The story of "The Town of Milford During 
the American Revolution," is simply an account of the daily 
fulfillment of duties which may seem insignificant when con- 
trasted with the deeds on the battle fields ; yet let us remember 
that just such towns as Milford made brave armies possible; 
they furnished the money and men. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS DELIVERED UPON THE 

UNVEILING OF THE MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN 

AT MILFORD AUGUST 27, 1910 

By George Hare Ford 

Officers and Members of the Village Improvement Associa- 
tion, Selectmen and Officers of the Town of Milford, 
Citizens, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: 
I presume I may be permitted to indulge in a few words 
of personal explanation. Some time ago I received a circular 
letter announcing the organization of your Village Improve- 
ment Association, and inviting me to become interested as a 
member and contributor. Having for some time been im- 
pressed with the thought of furnishing the town with a 
memorial fountain for its beautiful green, and of providing 
for its erection, it occurred to me that if an organized effort 
was being made for improving and beautifying the town, why 
not assist in this way now instead of later. 

The idea resulted in correspondence with your secretary, 
and met with the approval of the Village Improvement 
Association and the authorities of the town, and was endorsed 
by the people at a town meeting. And let me say that to the 
energetic officers and loyal members of your Village Improve- 
ment Association, high credit and honor are due for the 
interest they have created in town improvements, and the 
benefits they have effected by their efficient work, with the 
cooperation of your town officials, and they well merit the 
thanks of all. 

And now let me add that few American towns, if any, are 
as rich in history and memorials as this beautiful old town 
of Milford. Represented first by your stone bridge, the most 
unique historical memorial of its character in the country, I 
cannot pass here without referring to that dear old citizen, the 
late Nathan G. Pond, the moving spirit who conceived the 
idea of this memorial, and did so much with your assistance 





Entrance to Wilcox Park 



Chapter House, Daughters of the American Revolution 






Soldiers' Monument, Ci\il War, 1861-3 



Revolutionary 
Soldiers" Monument 



Ford Memorial Fountain 



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HISTORICAL ADDRESS /I 

towards erecting this artistic structure in memory of the 
founders of the town. Many of you will recall his lovable 
character, his unselfish interest in the town and its people, 
and his study of and wonderful familiarity with old New 
England ancestry. 

Then we have here also the Taylor Memorial Library, the 
gift of the generous and esteemed citizen, the late Henry A. 
Taylor; the church at yonder corner, a gift of his children, as 
a memorial to their mother; and Wilcox park, a gift to the 
town, 'from your liberal fellow townsman, Clark Wilcox. 

The Chapter House of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution made possible by the generous contribution of 
Mary Hepburn Smith. 

Nearly three centuries have passed since our ancestors 
selected this location for their future home. On an occasion 
like this, mid the mad whirl of this twentieth century of 
steam, electricity, motor cars, and air ships, it may not be 
inappropriate or uninteresting to pause for a moment and 
reflect "whence came all this" and who made it possible, and 
in doing so to recall some of the men and incidents associated 
with the event, and the founders of the old New England 
towns. 

This thought will readily take your mental vision across the 
ocean to England, and impress you with the valor and courage 
of those two thousand Puritans, who between 1620 and 1639, 
following their convictions, left their homes confident of 
enlarging their liberties and their fortunes in the new world. 
And well may Americans of the present day, scattered the 
country over, be eager and proud as they are, to trace their 
ancestry back to the early settlers of New England. 

The Plymouth people had established their settlement. 
Then came the Massachusetts Bay Colony, under Winthrop, 
a company of distinguished men of wealth, well organized in 
the other country for the purpose of commercial pursuits, and 
protected by a liberal patent granted under the great seal of 
England by Charles I, and they were engaged in the founding 
of prosperous towns adjacent to Boston. 



72 ■ HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

Captivated by the meadow lands, the natural scenery, the 
water facilities and the commanding ridges, settlements soon 
began in Connecticut. Windsor 1633, Wethersfield and Say- 
brook 1635, Hartford 1636, New Haven 1638. The year 
1639 seems to have been a propitious year for the founding 
of new towns. From eight to ten families located at Fairfield, 
ten at Stratford, forty at Guilford and fifty-four heads of 
families (estimated by Lambert as containing 200 people), 
located on the banks of the "Wepowage," a name which 
translated from the Indian implies "the crossing, or place 
of the narrow pass." 

Most of these founders came from the counties of Essex, 
Hereford and York. Many came with the Davenport-Eaton 
company and first appeared in New Haven. Peter Prudden 
had preached to them in the old country and at Wethersfield, 
and after his arrival here a number from that place followed 
him to the new settlement. It is said they were more liberal 
in their views than the New Haven colony, hence they declined 
to participate in the New Haven caucus at the Newman barn 
when the famous "plantation covenant" was adopted by that 
company. 

We will now picture them under the leadership of Capt. 
Thomas Tibbals (a direct ancestor on my maternal side). He 
had served under Commander John Mason in the Pequot 
War, and had traversed the country between Mystic and Fair- 
field, and being impressed with the advantages of this situa- 
tion, he was commissioned to lead the new colony through the 
wilderness to this selected spot. They followed the Indian 
path along the shore on horseback and on foot, with their 
families, cattle, household goods, and materials for house 
building. 

The first settlers located on each side of Mill River and 
West End Brook — undoubtedly for the convenience of water 
for themselves and their cattle. The house lots each contained 
three acres, some double lots. Each planter was to erect a 
good house within three years or the plot was to revert back 
to the town. The purchase of the land was transacted with 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 73 

all the formality of a business proposition. According to the 
Indian method, the twig and the turf were forms and symbols 
of the transfer of property. The consideration was rather 
small, like a few coats and blankets, a kettle, some hoes and 
hatchets, a mirror, and trinkets, and the chiefs and their 
families were guaranteed protection by the English. 

Their first vote was that they should "guide themselves in 
all their doings by the word of God till such time as laws 
should be enacted and established." 

On 'November 20th, 1639, at the town's first general meet- 
ing, it was voted that the town seal should be the letters MF 
joined together, and surrounded by a shield as appears upon 
the invitation and the program of to-day, this being a fac- 
simile of the seal as illustrated in Lambert's History. By a 




1639 



singular coincidence it might be construed on this occasion to 
apply to the initial letters of the memorial fountain. If this 
seal is not now in use as a town seal, would it not be well, if 
not inconsistent with any existing condition, for the proper 
authorities to revive its use and design, and associate with it a 
suitable motto and the date 1639. 

At a General Court, 1640, with common consent the plan- 
tation was named Mil ford, although the letters of the town 
seal indicate that the name had been chosen at an earlier 
date, and this formal action was taken for the purpose of 
legalizing it. 

Some authorities say the town was named after an English 
town, and others that it had reference to the mill by the ford. 

The first purchase of land was on the 12th of February, 
1639, or February 23rd, present calendar, although the settle- 
ment was not made until the summer following. 



74 HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

Somewhat interesting are the names that appear to indi- 
cate locahties within the boundaries of the town, such as East 
Field, West Field, Bladdin's Brook, Snake Hill, Lebanon 
Brook, Peconis Point, Mill Neck, Bear Neck, Dreadful 
Swamp, Beaver River, Fresh Meadows, Essex Plain, Round 
Meadow, Calf Meadow, Oyster River, New Meadow, Swamp 
Meadow and Beaver Pond Meadow, New Field, Indian Neck, 
Wolf Harbor, Oyster Neck, and Ferry Lands, Plain Fields, 
Oronoque, Stubby Plain and Turkey Hill. 

Broad Street was laid out forty rods wide. It is said the 
first houses built on the south side were probably set on the 
Common, and the fences were placed in front, Lambert says. 
Encroachment of two rods have been made on the north side 
of the street. The land between the lower half of Broad Street 
and the harbor was a parade ground. Additions to the original 
purchase were made from time to time, until the town extended 
twenty miles north as far as Waterbury, with the Housatonic 
and Naugatuck rivers as a boundary on the west. Long Island 
Sound on the south, and the New Haven line on the east. 
As a parent town Mil ford has contributed from her estate 
land occupied by the towns of Naugatuck, Seymour, Derby, 
Woodbridge, Bethany and Orange. Early settlers acquired 
lands in other localities and some bought sections in what is 
now the town of Huntington, L. I., and settled that town. The 
towns of New Milford, Farmington, Saugatuck (Stamford), 
Naugatuck, Wallingford, Cheshire, Southington, Ridgefield, 
Greenwich, Woodbury and Washington, Williamstown, Mass., 
and Talmadge, Ohio, were all settled by people from Milford. 
And most important of all, the settlement on the banks of 
the Passaic River in New Jersey, where now stands the 
flourishing city of Newark, was begun by people from Milford 
and Bran ford. 

That justice might be done in buying and selling to each 
other, a fine of five shillings was established for use of a 
measure if it were not legally sealed by Jasper Gunn. 

Trade and commerce received immediate attention. The 
enterprising Fowler mill was established and it was soon fol- 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 75 

lowed by other mills until Mil ford became distinguished as a 
mill town. 

In 1650 a public wharf was built, and a coasting trade with 
Boston was established, in the carrying of furs and produce 
to Boston, and the bringing back of household necessities. 

It is said that the credit of Ensign Alexander Bryan, Mil- 
ford's leading shipping merchant of those days, was so great 
in Boston that his notes passed as current as bank bills. 

In 1675 we find that there were three merchants owning 
brigs and sloops with a trade to the West Indies, in taking 
horses, beef, pork, corn, meal, and bringing back rum and 
molasses. In 1730 ships were sent to Bordeaux, France. At 
one time ships were built on the banks of the harbor and on 
the Housatonic river at Wheeler's Farm and were sold in 
New York. Moreover, Lambert's History says that the people 
were so enterprising that if the "Devil" should come to Mil- 
ford in the shape of a lamb, they would skin him for his 
saddle. 

A militia company was organized in 1640. The late John 
W. Fowler, of honored memory, in his history of Milford 
Grenadiers (which was one of the most celebrated organiza- 
tions in New England) refers to the following Milford men 
who had served as brigade and regimental commanders, and 
were held in "high esteem for their superiority in efficiency 
and attainments": Col. Daniel Sackett, Col. Benjamin Bull, 
Col. William Fenn, Col. Stephen B. Ford, Col. Andrew Beard, 
Col. William Piatt, Col. Abel R. Hine, Col. Isaac T. Rogers. 

The town has furnished some of the most eminent men of 
the state and country, included among whom were three resi- 
dent governors, Robert Treat, Jonathan Law and Charles 
Hobby Pond. Gov. Thomas Fitch, Gov. Gideon Tomlinson, 
Gov. Roger S. Baldwin, and Gov. Charles R. Ingersoll were 
descendants of Milford founders. Three presidents of Yale 
University were identified with the town, Pierson, Andrews 
and Cutler. Col. Ethan Allen, the hero of Ticonderoga, and 
Gen. David Wooster came from Milford stock, while their 



76 HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

sons and daughters early married into ancient families of prom- 
inence, like the Piersons, Mathers and others. The ancestors 
of three of the signers of the Declaration of Independence 
were from Milford, Roger Sherman, of Connecticut, Abra- 
ham Clark of New Jersey, and Robert Treat Paine of 
Massachusetts. 

Mindful of all these as citizens of this prominent old New 
England town, we may each of us exclaim, in the words of 
Paul of Tarsus: *T am a citizen of no mean city." 

We do well then, to recall the events of past centuries, and 
re-write them on the pages of history. Organize your Village 
Improvement societies, your uplift clubs. Make your church, 
your organizations, your village and town the best and worthy 
of the highest aims, keep in touch with your native town, 
continue to create an interest in old New England. Keep alive 
the old traditions. Tell them to your children, and reiterate 
them to your children's children. Keep the fires burning on 
the old hearthstones, mamtaining the high standards estab- 
lished by your forefathers. 

"Though many and many a year has fled 
Since they were gathered among the dead; 
And now their names, with the moss o'er-grown 
Are veiled from sight on the churchyard stone 
That leans away, in a lingering fall, 
And owns the power that shall level all." 

And now we come to the special occasion of this gathering 
on this spot to-day. The importance of fountains of water 
for the use of man and beast was recognized soon after the 
creation. Exodus tells us that the children of Israel mur- 
mured against their leaders for want of bread and water, and 
Moses in his perplexity appealed to the great Jehovah, and 
"bread was rained down from Heaven," and Moses was 
commanded to gather the assembly together, and "before 
their eyes the Rock was turned into a fountain of water," and 
the congregation and their children and beasts did drink, and 
Moses built an altar there for a memorial. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS JJ 

The French have distinguished themselves by their magnifi- 
cent fountains in Paris and Versailles. England has done 
likewise at Chatsworth, and the Crystal Palace. In fact, the 
Capitols of modern Europe abound in fountains that are works 
of art, and their utility has never been lost sight of. 

In Rome opposite the palace of the Quirinal in the open 
plaza stands the world renowned fountain of Monte Cavallo. 
At the base are colossal statues of Castor and Pollux who are 
represented as reining their horses. Above stands a red gran- 
ite obelisk over one hundred feet in height brought from Egypt 
by Claudius as a present to Nero. The original fountain was 
erected by Tiberius in Christ's time. 

Tradition says that there came to Rome two young men 
who were philosophers. The Emperor observed their wisdom, 
and kept them near his palace. One day they promised that 
whatever the Emperor should think of by day or night, they 
would tell him his thought the following day, and he in reply 
promised that if they succeeded he would give them anything 
they desired. The next day they were able to tell the Emperor 
of what he thought out during the night. They asked not for 
money, only a memorial. He therefore erected to them the 
grand memorial — the fountain of Monte Cavallo. 

So down the ages fountains have been considered of the 
greatest importance, and have served as public monuments. 
In Assyria were erected statues of Neptune and dolphins 
from which were spouts of water. Among the Greeks foun- 
tains were common in the cities and it is said as springs were 
plentiful, little engineering skill was required. These foun- 
tains were dedicated to the gods and goddesses, nymphs and 
heroes, and were frequently placed on the sides of their 
temples, with a grand fagade. The excavation of Pompeii 
revealed most interesting forms of public and private foun- 
tains, with which the city was well supplied. 

The aqueducts of the Romans are instances of the impor- 
tance in which they regarded the fountains of their city, and 
at the time of Constantine there were in Rome more than 
twelve hundred public fountains, many of monumental char- 



78 HISTORICAL ADDRESS 

acter, rich in works of art. Agrippa decorated those existing 
at this time with three hundred bronze and marble statues, 
and four hundred columns. They were erected to commem- 
orate victories, and were adorned with the trophies secured. 

Of this INIarion Crawford writes : 

"Standing upon the spot, I beheld these statues towering 
gigantically above the pigmies of the present day, looking like 
Titans in the act of threatening the Heavens, while overhead 
the stars were looking out, and might have been taken for 
guardian angels keeping a watch over the temples below. 
Behind and on the left were palaces and on the right were 
gardens and hills still with the orange tint of sunset over 
them, and in the distance were visible the seven hills on which 
is built Rome, the Eternal City." 

In conclusion permit me to add: May this modest contri- 
bution to one's native town inspire others to contribute from 
time to time some memorial that will commemorate the deeds 
and names of those who have given to this community much 
prestige, and whose memor}^ deserves to be perpetuated. 

Robert Treat 

And right here I want to make an earnest plea to you 
members of the Village Improvement Society, to organize an 
effort to secure a suitable memorial for that great public man 
and founder, Robert Treat, who was the first commander of 
the regiment, in continuous existence ever since his day, now 
known as the Second Regiment Connecticut National Guard. 
He won great distinction while leading the Connecticut troops 
in the King Philip War, assisted by Maj. John Baird, and 
Capt. Benjamin Fenn, two founders of this town. From 
1683 to 1708, a period of thirty years, Robert Treat was 
governor and lieutenant governor of the colony. He was an 
educated farmer, a militar}' commander, a statesman, and a 
diplomat, for years by far the foremost man in the common- 
wealth, and undoubtedly the most distinguished man with the 
most distinguished career of any citizen the town has produced 
from its foundation to the present day. 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 79 

In the list of passengers on the Mary and John, in 1630, 
appears the name of Thomas Ford. Trumbull, in his history 
of Dorchester, page 17, refers to him as a gentleman past 
middle life, with adult family and good estate. This Thomas 
Ford settled in Windsor in 1633. He was a Deputy to the 
First General Assembly of the State of Connecticut, under 
the first Governor, John Haynes. Thomas, Jr., one of the 
founders of this town, came here as a young man, and married 
Elizabeth Knowles, daughter of Alexander Knowles of Fair- 
field, Conn., who was assistant to Governor John Winthrop 
in 1658. 

To the memory of this Thomas Ford, who died in 1662, 
and to his children, Elizabeth, John, Thomas, Mary and Lydia, 
and his descendants who to-day bear the name of Ford, and 
also among whom we find the name of Treat, Trowbridge, 
Gunn, Fowler, Clark, Baird, Buckingham, Fenn, Smith, Fitch, 
Mallory, Hawley, Rogers, Northrup, Gilbert, Canfield, Bald- 
win, Sanford, Sherwood, Andrew and Prudden, many of 
whom have continuously lived in this community, this fountain 
is erected. 

To you, Mr. President, and to these descendants, and to 
all the people of this goodly town is committed its future care 
with this line by the late Robert Treat Paine : 

"While the earth bears a plant, or the sea rolls its waves." 



8o 



HISTORICAL ADDRESS 



Inscription on Fountain : 

To Thomas Ford, one of ye founders of this town, and to 
HIS descendants this fountain is erected by George Hare Ford. 

The base is constructed from field stones collected from the farm occupied by the Fords 
continuously since the settlement of the town. 
The lantern is modeled from the Paul Revere lantern. 



COMPOSED FOR THE OCCASION. 



We stand upon this sacred spot 
Where, many years ago, 

Our ancestors were gathered : 
They came by a trail below 



And so they made for our delight 
This lovely, peaceful town. 

All honor to the energy 
Of these men of renown. 



With their wives and all their families We've erected to their memory 

To make this place their home. Memorials choice and rare — 

That no more through the wilderness, The library, the fine old bridge 

Unsettled, they should roam. Receive our loving care. 



The little stream that purled along 
Attracted these brave men. 

So by the ford they settled. 
No more to wander then. 



A park, a church, too, have been given 

And other gifts between — 
To-day we have a fountain, 

Erected on the green. 



At once began their homes to build. 
Felled pine and elm and oak : 

Enthusiasm and love they put 
In every single stroke. 



In memory of the Fords of old. 
First settlers of the town. 

That to future generations 
Their old name may go down. 



And now all down the ages ring 
The memories of their works; 

Each toiled with pride and honor — 
Those times did not make shirks. 



This fountain's placed 'neath rare old trees 
That make for the eyes a feast. 

Through the centuries the water clear 
Will flow for man and beast. 



M. Graves Watson (Ford) 



H 46 -78 ^ 



ROBERT TREAT 

FOUNDER, FARMER, SOLDIER, STATESMAN 
GOVERNOR 



PAPER READ BEFORE THE 
NEW HAVEN COLONY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 

BY 

GENERAL GEORGE HARE FORD 

APRIL 17th, 1911 



(Reprint from Vol. VIII, New Haven Colony Historical Society 
Published April, 1914) 



{This pamphlet may be obtained of the author, price, 50c.) 



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